A group of eight Holocaust survivors drew parallels between the current political climate and that of Germany in the 1930s. Some of them condemned the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD).
Eight Holocaust survivors have urged young people to shun far-right parties and vote to protect democracy at the upcoming European Union elections.
“For millions of you, the European elections are the first election in your lives. For many of us, it could be the last,” read the open letter, unveiled in Berlin on Tuesday.
“We couldn’t stop it back then. But you can today,” the eight authors wrote.
I have not seen that, but I don’t think I agree with it. But maybe I’m misinterpreting the image because I’m admittedly feeling a bit defensive?
So that I can better understand, I ask a completely innocent question. Do you perceive my comment as encouraging people to tolerate intolerance?
For some clarification, I put “far” in parenthesis because I feel the term “far”, in this age of “outrage culture” is relative and influenced largely by propaganda, social media, and rhetoric. Additionally, the term “shun” means to keep away from or take pains to avoid.
These people should not be shunned. You can and absolutely should have a conversation with someone you perceive as intolerant. Because I feel the term “far” is relative these days, I believe we are often quick to label people based on their emotional expressions, short sighted social media posts, or impulsive comments. So if you find yourself suspecting that someone is intolerant, I would encourage you to have a conversation. If your conversation further confirms that someone is expressing intolerant beliefs, you owe it to yourself and the other party to respectfully challenge them and express your interpretation of their perspective.
My personal experience is that if you are fortunate enough to find yourself engaging with someone open to debate, you should stand fast on your perspective. If you can respect each other, the words you speak are more likely to resonate. If you disrespect the opposing party, then you will almost certainly be dismissed, no matter how morally right you are, or perceive yourself to be. The other person will almost certainly see your disrespect as some sort of confirmation of their own perspective.
Seeking common ground puts you in a position to build trust and credibility, so that you can offer an alternate perspective as an ally and without being dismissed as an opponent. Don’t avoid. Engage and change. If you ignore a weed, it continues to grow and pollinate. It must be effectively uprooted.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Edit: I am observing a trend of down voting this without further engagement. That’s unfortunate. I would love to hear other’s opinions. I’m honestly not a hater or troll, and do love to hear opposing opinions! Use your voice to share your thoughts!
AfD is far right. They are ethno-nationalists that believe only ethnic-Germans belong in Germany. A leader has defended the Nazi SS. They have discussed re-migrating German citizens out of Germany. How do you compromise with people who would like to carry out an ethnic cleansing? Only forcibly relocate Muslims for now, and wait until next year to expel the Jewry?
Most far-right politicians do not debate or operate politically in good-faith. IDK about the people who vote for them. I think it usually takes years of slow progress for people to move away from extremist positions, and it takes a change in their environment to start the process (new social circle, life experiences, media consumption habits, etc).
I haven’t downvoted you, and sucks that it’s happening, but usually the “both sides” crowd don’t understand that there isn’t much nuance to their argument. For example, Nazis want to kill all non-aryans. Others, want to live. The compromise there is only kill some non-aryans. Is that something you’re okay with?
If not, why do you think talking to Others would change the rhetoric on the Nazi side? There clearly one extremely bad side here, but that’s an easy example. Real life is littered with less-extreme versions. For example, I saw an article the other day of someone who wouldn’t sell their house to a woman of color after they finally met her. What a bunch of knobs.
I agree that culture and togetherness is the best way to cure these people. In general, I’ve started to see racism as a mental deficiency; it’s something that could be treated. But what you’re saying is tone deaf. “Go get yelled at by the far right, maybe you’ll find common ground” is not an experience you’ve likely had to deal with i.e. your advice sounds like it comes from someone that hasn’t dealt with virulent intolerance before. Sure, with someone you like, talk to them…get them mentally efficient again. But fuck off if you expect me to do that to strangers who have, for decades, bullied people like my friends to the point of depression and suicide. Understand that it takes a lot of time to deprogram someone, and you’re not the one doing it. In fact, you want victims to do it.
Finally you said something that bothers me. “Don’t shun the far right”. You’re right that we shouldn’t ignore them. They should be monitored, closely, because they’re dangerous. But stop giving fuckheads a platform. It’s ridiculous that as a race, we’ve had to listen to all the town idiots berate and spew their hatred. Emotionally-immature people get caught up in their rhetoric before they’ve had the chance to grow into a decent human being, and by the time they’re 35, it’s too late; they’re now the racist uncle at Thanksgiving. Americans have a laugh around the holidays, but deep down it’s truly vile. And even if that uncle turns it around at 36, the damage has been done to countless people he’s interacted with. “Oh but he’s better now” just isn’t good enough for his victims.
My kids aren’t listening to all right-wing fuckheads, because I know they’re not there yet, emotionally, to critically think about what the belligerents are on about. If you think your kids are special, great - good for you. But remember that every interview about a christofascist mass killing has their friends, family, and neighbors going on about how “he was a nice boy”. The people selling this bile are much better at selling than others are critical thinking.
I hate to sound cynical but when I read the replies here, I see more close mindedness that won’t do anything to affect change. You can’t change a culture if you’re so hateful or resentful that you refuse to engage.
My opinion is that if you’re not picking up the hammer and building the bridge, then you’re part of the problem.
That’s my experience as a once hyper conservative whose perspective only changed because someone approached me with respect and engaged me to change my perspective.
But it’s clear that many here don’t want to be true agents for change, but prefer to inflame division. You will never change a culture through hatred. You’ll only cause them to “dig in”.
But y’all keep doing you and post your hate so you can your upvotes.