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We have been here before.
“Good night and good luck” is remembered as Edward R. Murrow’s powerful broadcast ending of a challenge to McCarthy’s fascistic hunt for communists in the 1950s. The hunt, for McCarthy’s self-centered prominence, and not legally justified, left many destitute, stripped of work, and immobilized, if not jailed. Some committed suicide.
Fascism begins as something seemingly benign, for purpose of nationalism and pride. As an example, “Make America Great Again” is President Trump’s motto. In reality, his restrictions on immigration, restriction on college admissions, his gutting of voter protection, his dictating of high school curriculum and prohibition of certain books are examples of how democracy can deteriorate and slide into authoritarianism.
For me, an infant Jewish boy in Poland, fascism began dramatically with Kristallnacht, a Night of Broken Glass, November 9–10, 1938, throughout Nazi Germany and Austria. Jewish stores, homes, schools, and cemeteries were vandalized and destroyed.
Given my background, I am particularly concerned that Trump’s orders and presidential control create conditions for authoritarianism. Trump’s destruction of people and institutions not loyal to him or his cause echo executive orders of Mussolini, Orban of Hungary, and Putin of Russia. It’s that voice that led to repression and fear in other countries and produced fascism.
My mother heroically survived the Holocaust despite overwhelming odds. She placed me in a sympathetic, caring and brave Catholic convent for safekeeping until the War ended. When the War did end, she had several emigration options, including Canada, Argentina, Australia, and America.