Mr. Griffin says, “When people are afraid, they’ll hand over their rights as willingly as they’d hand over pennies for bread. But not until they’ve handed over other people’s rights first.” What was your reaction to that passage? Can you think of other times in our history that the “systemic repression” Mr. Griffin cites occurred or of systemic oppression occurring now?
I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a natural, though unfortunate, reaction. I see it in current politics. Fortunately, there are also those who want to protect the other people’s rights. In war time it’s many times harder to find people who are charitable toward the people of the countries we are fighting. After all, our armies are pledged to kill those in the other country’s armies and sadly, civilians are “collateral damage.”
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Right after 9/11, I was in a shopping mall where someone with Middle Eastern characteristics was selling products at a kiosk. The person I was with glared at them, and said, “They just want to take our money to send back to their homeland to build bombs to kill us!” I couldn’t believe it! Not only was it wrong in general, but she was basing the comment solely on the way he looked! I think it’s that kind of attitude that allows some to separate people into “us vs. them.” And I don’t think this has changed; there will always be people who want to label some as “other.” I see it happening now as some populations look at new immigrants - from whatever country - as undeserving.
(OK, rant over…)
I hear you. It’s like all Asians being mistaken for Chinese after the unfortunate label of Covid as Chinese flu or some such thing.
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Not all people would hand over others’ rights. We have seen this with the Underground Railroad. We saw the Poles welcome Ukrainians into their country when the war started. It depends on many factors. I think that fear is a hard emotion to overcome when you are also in danger.
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