I try to avoid discussing politics with all but my closest people. I have friends across much of the political spectrum – that is, from very liberal to rather conservative, in multiple countries supporting diverse political parties. We aren’t going to alter each other’s perspectives so why argue about it?
If a person is able to consider their and other people’s beliefs logically enough to have a conversation, then I’m there for it. This is increasingly uncommon; people seem more prone to holding ideology like campaigning crusaders, fighting, not discussing. I have to save my spoons (time and energy) for spaces and activities where I can actually help people, there’s nothing left for pointless fights with people entrenched in a view point.
At the same time, I am very distressed at what is happening in the world, and particularly in the country where I live – a country which is reaching out to impact other areas of the world. Nothing new about this, I suppose. We’ve always interfered in areas of the world where we see ‘our’ interests at play. We tromp through other people’s lives rearranging their worlds, sometimes flattening them, so that the resources and access we want are available to us.
The other day I witnessed an incident that was such an echo of history though, I had to stop and quote George Santayana, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
A young man, in uniform including a balaclava, walked up to a man filling his car and demanded to see his ID. The man responded, “I’m just getting gas!” The man in uniform insisted. What made the guy getting gas a target: his appearance. He was not white.
I’ve read a great deal of history. As a much younger person I wondered why the ‘average’ citizen didn’t say or do more when the Brownshirts started to target Jews. Demanding ID. Singling them out for persecution.
And I realized it was probably in part, the fact that the average person didn’t feel they were ‘political’. What, after all, did the actions of some suddenly emboldened men mean to them? It would pass.
Then violence grew. People’s homes were burst into, trashed. Businesses attacked. But it couldn’t last, could it? Next election cycle will straighten things out, besides, maybe it will help the economy for the majority, right?
Please understand, I am not equating the current political climate to being exactly like Germany in the 1930s. I am pointing out the similarity between the rise of the Brownshirts, their actions, and what is happening in our country at this point in time.
When we as citizens are complacent with our armed forces being used to terrorize people within our own boarders, we are starting something bigger. Our lack of protest or complaint, our failure to contact our elected officials, condones the rise of Brownshirts within our own boarders.
Are your descendants going to be the people trying to explain how you were complicit, caught up in ‘business as usual’, or will they be guests on future documentaries who talk with enormous respect about how you stood up for ethical decency on behalf of your fellow human?
Do you want your government invading peaceful countries?
Do you want armed forces in your neighborhood?
Do you want the Brownshirts deciding who is allowed to walk down the street?
Political pressure still has a chance to work: contact your representatives, financially support where you’re comfortable, be a voice of reason, be a presence for safety. Let our government know – you’re not okay with the way things are going.
christyoslund 