Democratic Opportunities: Freedom From Fear
As a patriot it’s OK and now necessary to acknowledge that our government representing us is cruel, corrupt, anti-democratic, cowardly, and greedy. Recognizing this it’s easy to sink into cynicism and despair, feeling like Sisyphus endlessness pushing a rock uphill only to see it roll down again and again. And yet, our efforts to wrestle back our democracy is anything but futile. It is noble and will bear fruit. We must continue the work not from despair but with calm, consistent confidence in our Republic and in our diverse neighbors. Things are not hopeless.
Freedom from Fear This post is inspired by a wonderful audience of engaged patriots that I had the honor of presenting to this week in Massachusetts. My talk was “Democratic Resilience vs. Fascist Fear: Facing the Challenge of Fascism in an Imperfect Republic (1930s-1940s)”. The title's a bit long, but recognizes the complexity that is the American experience. Revisiting how we confronted fascists in the past gives us insights today.
It's important to remember FDR’s 1933 inaugural admonition: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” If we give in to fear the bad guys win. It's the arena where tyrants and fascists thrive. FDR's call to action and confidence still resonates. We can't give in to fear and despair as we face our moment. FDR and his generation gave us ways forward.
Obligation Today I'm reminded of my (our) obligation to use my voice to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for the Republic. President FDR articulated four freedoms: Freedom of Speech and Expression. Freedom of Worship. Freedom from Want. Freedom from Fear. Each is worth fighting for and each is under assault by our own government. If we don't give in to fear we can defend the ramparts and secure these blessings of liberty. We all must do what we can with the talents we have.
Worth Defending We're a mixture of all sorts of ideas and people. Democracy gives us the chance to mitigate difference through thoughtfulness and not violence. What are we supposed to do when our own government encourages violence over democratic discourse and problem-solving? We must start by recognizing that the forces of anti-democracy, fascism, antisemitism, extremism, racism, greed… are nothing new. The Republic has always seen these forces vying for power. Although imperfectly, we have overcome each challenge. That's not because democracy is automatically able to overcome and that things will correct themselves on their own. Nothing is guaranteed. It's up to us to write the next chapter. But democracy gives us the power to express human agency, decency, and empathy. It's our turn to take responsibility for the next steps. We need to remind ourselves that the Republic and its values are worth fighting for.
Reach Out There are many concerned people who recognize the dangers and are organizing. The key is to do so nonviolently and through creating coalitions from diversity. Surely we can't talk to, or ally ourselves with, people who have embraced this madness? Actually, we can and must. We share much in common.
What Binds Us Regardless of political identity we generally agree on the following: We oppose wars that are not authorized or articulated. We're appalled by the reckless use of the military. We're appalled by corruption, crime, incompetence, and the celebration of tragedy and loss. We're outraged when the president sends troops or paramilitaries to attack our civilians. We're disturbed by the attempts to cancel voting rights, attempts to disenfranchise or make it more difficult to vote, extreme jerrymandering, imposition of poll taxes (in the form of having to purchase a passport if the laughable "Save America" Act is passed). We reject restrictions on freedoms. We don't like it when free speech (from comedians, news organizations to Pentagon reporters) is attacked or told who doesn't have the right to express an opinion. We don’t accept the suppressing of investigations like the Epstein files or the weaponizing of institutions and individuals to attack political opponents. We want our children educated and to have a sense of fairness about where money is spent.
As our service members risk their lives, we are disgusted by the preening of those in power who see it all as a self-promoting moment or worse, a chance for war profiteering. We all want to be safe and happy and live our lives without daily exhaustion and ever-present politics in every aspect of our lives. There’s enough on the list to find common ground with anyone if we choose to focus on that and not our political identities. We need to reach out and discover these things in each other.
Conviction We're in unprecedented times, and it will require courage and conviction to overcome the challenge. Let’s embrace the spirit of FDR’s “missionary generation” who decided to find solutions to the threats of the Great Depression and rising fascism. We can find confidence in embracing the stories of heroism and success that have pushed America to expand the promise of democracy.
Most Americans reject what we are seeing. The evil we're facing are the acts of a minority. Don't be distracted by their high profile or the noise they make. We're stronger. We have the power to not give them the oxygen they need. We must give permission to those who have followed, or accept the current thread of anti-democracy, to find their way out. We can’t do that by villainizing them – unless they have committed a crime. Accountability will be important. Instead, we must reach out to our fellow citizens through our common values and invite them to rejoin the mainstream.
What Do We Focus On? In the 1930s we faced the threat of the German American Bund, Fr. Charles Coughlin, William Pelley’s Silver Legion, the KKK, racism, Jim Crow, and antisemitism. That can be overwhelming. And yet, we need to be reminded that we defeated them. Therefore, how we tell that story matters. We can focus on the evil and be cynical or overwhelmed or we can also learn from the pushbacks.
In 1937 the good people of Southbury, CT. demonstrated against a planned Nazi Bund camp. Recognizing the danger to their Jewish neighbors and themselves they banded together in peaceful protest and through zoning ordinances stopped the camp from being built.
In 1938 the Bund staged a large, loud, and frightening Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden. We remember (and have likely seen the film reels) 22,000 people packed into the hall full of Nazi flags, heil Hitler salutes, thuggery, and the sound of deep, pounding drums. And yet, do we remember the 100,000 people gathered outside in counter protest? That the rally itself was Fritz Kuhn’s desperate last attempt to remain relevant as Nazi Germany pulled its funding? Do we know that Mayor LaGuardia demanded an investigation into the money trail and learned that Kuhn was pocketing the money from the rally? Do we remember that Kuhn was arrested and convicted for embezzlement and was a failure?
My Turn A fundamental difference between the 1930s and today is leadership. We rejected fascism then but are faced with it now. We see and feel the erosion. Fascist “strongmen” recruit people who are loyal to the leader but not necessarily competent. They are mostly interested in greed, plundering, and dismantling institutions that could check their lawlessness. Democracies, on the other hand, tend to rely on recruiting people who are competent and want to meet the needs of their constituents. We are the Republic and we get to hold them accountable. Nation-wide demonstrations, rejection of extremism, and disgust with hypocrisy, shows our increasing power and hope.
We must not accept or become cynical about the undermining of the norms and practices of our democracy nor allow our sycophant leadership to divide us. Our system is flawed and we recognize that. We're flawed as individuals and recognize that too. But we can’t condemn either. Instead, we continue to reach out and find common ground with those across the aisle or with those who don’t even have time for “politics” and just want to live their lives.
Personal attacks or “reasoned” arguments will only build walls of self-defense. Instead, let’s acknowledge, together, that what we are facing is more important than what divides us. Accept the fact that others probably know this is wrong. Give them the chance to acknowledge it in their own way.
President Roosevelt’s leadership reminded Americans to push back against fear, anger, targeting, and hate. He acted with caution, focus, patience, education, and timing. Peaceful and unrelenting protest, organizing with dignity and confidence in the promise of the Republic helped us overcome racists, fascists, and the KKK.
We will rescue ourselves not through violence or despair, but through confidence. We will assume the mantle of leadership. We will reclaim our institutions because they are ours. We will honor all those who have sacrificed so much over the generations. Like them, and in their legacy, we'll again offer hope to a world in darkness and despair.
