Look at these pictures carefully.
What do you see?
Did you know that they were taken less than a hundred years ago? That they took place in a place called Germany, in the 1930s? That these people were led by a group called the Nazis?
And you are probably asking me: why are you bringing this up?
I answer: because Nazism is in America and we need to something about it.
Oh, so you say that Nazism isn't in America?
Think again.
According to Ken Burns/Lynn Novick's documentary The US and the Holocaust, it was alive in the 1930's, they did, and they had several meetings in NYC. They were called the German Bund, and they used our First Amendment of Freedom of Speech to continue their activities, before, during and after the war. No matter that their European counterparts were dehumanizing and killing millions of people. No matter that the practice was the opposite of our ideas of liberty for all.
Nazism is dangerous, and we must stamp it out of this country.
If you believe in these people or defend them in any way, show yourself out now.
Let's run to yesterday's event, the swearing-in of the new president, Donald Trump. During one point, Musk was giving a speech. Fine, nothing I am arguing here. At the end, though, he puts his hand to his heart and raises it. He turned around and did it again to the American flag behind him.
Musk is claiming that people are overreacting. It was not a Nazi salute, he is protesting. Well, I wanted to make an educated decision. I did not base it on the picture I posted on this blog. I watched several videos, from the BBC to DW, CBS, etc. And let me tell you something: it is a Nazi salute.
Watch historical videos and then watch Musk.
Same moves, same gestures, same everything.
Then, look at X. As soon as Musk could, he unblocked several people who were known racists and bigots. To hate groups. To Donald Trump. Then, he claimed it was in the name of free speech. If it was for free speech, why was he silencing transgender, BIPOC, etc.?
Be careful who you idolize. Think how and why an opinion is being expressed and see who said it and what motives they have. And in case you did not know...we are living in an oligarchy. Decisions are being made by the few select, AKA billionaires and wanna-bes. This is not what our country's ideas are based upon (despite being created by slaveowners, which we can denounce another time). We can do better!
Many thanks to the US Holocaust Museum and the BBC for the pictures. For more information, please check out these sources:
Be careful out there, everyone. Love your neighbor, protect yourself, and stay safe.
Namaste!
Comments