A Cautionary Tale

Once upon a time, there was a thriving democratic republic. It’s citizens enjoyed freedom of speech and assembly, a right to property, the right to vote, and the right of habeas corpus, among others. Their country experienced the peaceful transfer of power after legitimate elections were held. The country had previously been engaged in a military conflict that was drawn out and resulted in huge loss of life. However, at this moment, it was experiencing a period of growth and renewal. It was filled with institutions of higher learning, and young people sought college and advanced degrees to improve their chances of having a good career.

Unfortunately, global events occurred that caused the economy to crumble. Many working-class people became angry because of high unemployment. Whispers began. “Those people are taking your jobs.” “Those people are not the kind of people we want in this country.” “Those people are not from here and are damaging our national identity.” The whispers became bold statements. People were encouraged to distrust science and education.

One day, a very charismatic man decided to dabble in politics. He did not resemble the people he sought to lead in any way. Had little to nothing in common with them. But he sold them a story they wanted to hear. The intellectuals and two main parties didn’t take him seriously. They saw him as a buffoon, unfit to lead. As his followers grew in number, people shook their heads but told themselves it wouldn’t last.

The leader began to tell lies. Things easily proven false. But they were things people wanted to hear. Wanted to believe. Many people were tired of the two main parties, which they thought had governed the country into the mess to begin with. They wanted change. Something different. He was different. His support grew.

He repeated the whispers as factual problems threatening the country and in need of policy changes. He said outrageous things people were sure would change his followers’ minds. Make them see who he really was. Still, his followers grew in number and became more rabid.

Eventually, he entered into an agreement with one of the two main parties that had generally governed the country, which resulted in him becoming president. Soon after, huge numbers of men walked through the streets bearing lit torches, shouting adoration for this man in addition to messages of hate. These supporters showed up to events to harass peaceful protesters and incite violence. They would heckle and shout down women speakers who they believed needed to be at home making babies and having children. Followers were often easy to spot by distinctive clothing.

Soon, the president’s policies of discrimination and hate became legislated. The police began to harass and assault citizens it believed were the “wrong kind” of people. The religion of the majority of the citizenry became the only acceptable religion, and people of other faiths were regarded with fear and hate. Their houses of worship were destroyed by arson. Legislation was passed that had great titles and made it look like good was being done, but the legislation often resulted in the exact opposite of its name or was simply a poorly-veiled attempt to exclude or remove “undesirables” from the country.

Huge numbers of men, women, and children were detained by law enforcement, placed in overcrowded camps, and denied the rights and legal processes they used to have. Journalists attempted to bring images and evidence of these actions to the citizenry, but the president declared that they were lying and trying to turn everyone against him. People in camps were raped and beaten without consequence. Children were forcibly removed from parents and sent to camps in different cities. People who attempted to help those being detained, alleviate their suffering, or hide them from law enforcement began to be arrested and punished as well. Religious leaders, journalists, and other activists found themselves on government watchlists and being detained even when they had committed no crimes.

Little by little, more marginalized groups were added to the list of people who were allegedly destroying the country. People the masses could blame for their plight. Many of these citizens had believed that if they just kept their heads down and followed the law, they wouldn’t be affected. They were wrong. Soon, the government began legislating away their rights, their citizenship. People who had fought in wars for this country and people whose parents had lost their lives fighting for this country were not safe. They were detained, mistreated, deported.

Photo Credit: Kyle Glenn (@kylejglenn)

The government used language to dehumanize these people in an effort to make the citizens believe that these people had brought this punishment on themselves and that it was justified. Law enforcement began to uphold political positions instead of the law. Blatant violations of their duties went unpunished, emboldening more officers to ignore the law and mistreat people.

So what happened?

In Germany in the 1930s, the Holocaust and WWII.

Right now in the United States, we’re still waiting to find out. How much further will you let it go?