Against Dehumanization
Even before the Covid19 pandemic, Republicans and conservatives have devalued and dismissed Americans’ lives with their comments. Their actions demonstrate that none of them care about anything outside of power and profits.
Many people seem to disregard the lessons of history, so I am writing a reminder to them.
While prosecuting Nazi war crimes at the Nuremburg Trials, Ben Ferencz stated to the International Court that the Holocaust was “the tragic fulfillment of a program of intolerance and arrogance.”
There are ten stages of genocide. Dehumanization is just one.
http://genocidewatch.net/genocide-2/8-stages-of-genocide/
The cruel separation of children from their families at our border is just one example of Republican and conservatives’ disregard for human life. Their intolerance and policy based solely in racist policy echoes camps that were established by Nazi Germany which were outside of legal oversight. They won’t allow Congresspeople inside, which is outside of the law.
Republicans claim to be about “law and order,” yet they consistently operate outside of constitutional, federal, and state laws and norms. They are targeting political rivals’ states and American people are dying by the thousands as a result.
Acceptance of Republicans’ and Donald Trumps’ dehumanization of their own people is what has led to tragic times in our country. Acceptance of “birtherism” was just a glimpse into what is quickly becoming a Republican backed, massive extermination of the people Republicans hate: People of Color, Women, disabled people, poor people, and elderly.
Their policies devalue, demean, and dehumanize Americans and have eroded the foundations of our nation in their blind pursuit of a white supremacist theocracy. For decades Republicans have stoked hate from behind the pulpit and conspiracy-fueled Fox News and right-wing media. Millions of people believing their deranged claims that Sandy Hook was staged and this virus is a “hoax”. None of their so-called leaders have the moral fiber or strength of character to call out this farce. Instead, they continue to prop up the man they chose as a leader whose outrageous advice is killing Americans.
Vice-President Mike Pence was permitted to enter the Mayo Clinic without wearing a mask. In a Covid unit. Any mature, reasonable, semi-intelligent adult would never take actions so irresponsible, harmful, and potentially lethal to healthcare workers. Additionally, after being exposed, he poses a national security risk to Congress if he returns to the chamber without quarantining for 14 days.
Reckless power-tripping isn’t characteristic of great leadership.
This election isn’t just going to determine who the next President of the United States is. It will determine if we live under the crush of the tyrannical grip of Republicans and Donald Trump, or we throw off the chains of their hate, white supremacy, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, and religious extremism.
If you want to survive? You will vote.
If you believe that our country stands for freedom and justice for all? You will support every effort put forth to secure the elections and reject the false narratives coming from the tyrants in the White House about voter fraud that has never happened.
Every decent, responsible American needs to reject conservative rhetoric of hate and fear. We need to come together during one of the most difficult and dangerous times in our history to define who we are, what we believe, and what direction we choose to grow in.
Choose life.
Choose courage.
Choose pragmatism.
Choose ingenuity and innovation.
Choose freedom and justice for all Americans, not just the privileged, fortunate few.
