History Repeats Itself
How is history repeating itself during this current administration?
In a 1990 report, Ivana Trump claimed that Donald Trump kept speeches by Hitler beside his bed. While some critics on the left view comparisons to Hitler as low-hanging fruit when discussing individuals they oppose, it's worth considering whether any of Trump's ideas align with Nazi ideologies. This raises questions about the origins of Nazi thought and highlights the saying that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
Eugenics and racism significantly shaped American policy throughout the 20th century, informing everything from immigration laws to sterilization practices. These ideologies have not disappeared; they remain potent elements within the alt-right's framework, particularly in online spaces where conspiratorial and exclusionary ideas thrive. The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, was initially funded by Joseph Coors, of Coors Beer fame, and Paul Weyrich, who famously coined the term "Moral Majority." This foundation has played a pivotal role in promoting policies that resonate with eugenics and racial hierarchy, highlighting how deeply these themes are woven into the fabric of certain conservative movements.
Today, the echoes of these past ideologies can still be seen in various strands of right-wing thought, demonstrating the ongoing influence of history on contemporary political discourse.
The Original Moms for Liberty - The Mother's Movement and America First
The Mothers Movement, historically driven by women advocating for child welfare and education reform, has modern parallels in groups like Moms for Liberty, who seek to control school curricula under the guise of protecting children from what they deem harmful or inappropriate content.
Book Banning (Burning?) - Which Books did the Nazis Burn, and Why?
Nazis banned books they deemed "un-German" to control the narrative and suppress dissent, and some critics argue that the current administration is similarly attempting to censor content critical of Trump, raising concerns about the suppression of free speech.
What does the Eugenics Movement Look Like Today, and what does that have to do with Immigration?
American eugenics policies discriminated against marginalized groups by labeling them as "morons" and "idiots," using pseudo-scientific classifications to justify forced sterilizations, restrictive immigration laws, and the denial of civil rights.
The Moral Majority, Segregation Academies, and Coors Beer
The Moral Majority, a conservative Christian political group, played a key role in shaping the modern conservative movement, with companies like Coors Beer helping finance its efforts to promote conservative values and support the rise of the modern Republican Party.
The Racist History of School Choice
Brown v. Board of Education's desegregation ruling sparked the rise of the evangelical right, as many white Christians, particularly in the South, opposed integration and turned to school choice initiatives, which were initially used as a way to maintain segregated schooling.
Coming soon
the doctrine of discovery and christian-izing native americans
The Doctrine of Discovery, established by European powers in the 15th century, was used to justify the white colonization of Native American lands by asserting that Christian nations had the right to claim territories inhabited by non-Christians.
the great depression
The Great Depression was triggered by a combination of stock market speculation, banking failures, and economic inequality, and some critics argue that today's administration is exhibiting similar warning signs, such as rising inflation, increasing national debt, and financial instability.
american nazis
Operation Paperclip covertly integrated former Nazis and their advanced technologies into American institutions after WWII, despite the presence of Nazi sympathizers within the German American Bund, revealing America's complex and problematic relationship with individuals linked to Hitler's regime.
the kkk and christianity
The Ku Klux Klan weaponized Christianity to justify slavery, segregation, and extreme nationalism by distorting biblical teachings to support white supremacy and racial violence.
japanese internment camps and the alien enemies act
The Alien Enemies Act was used during World War II to justify the internment of Japanese Americans in camps, falsely labeling them as potential threats based on their ancestry rather than any evidence of disloyalty.
the arrow cross party and wwII fascists in the republican administration
Prescott Bush, George H.W. Bush's grandfather, had financial ties to Nazi Germany through his involvement with companies that did business with the Nazis, and he continued these associations even after the atrocities committed by the regime became widely known.
the satanic panic - how 80's conspiracy theories inspired the modern qanon movement
The Satanic Panic of the 1980s, fueled by unfounded fears of widespread satanic ritual abuse, laid the groundwork for conspiracy theories like QAnon by promoting distrust in institutions and amplifying paranoid ideologies about secretive, powerful elites.
hans asperger and how nazis shaped autism - how autism is influential in today's modern fascist movement
Nazi physician Hans Asperger's early research on autism, which is now controversial, contributed to the development of the autism spectrum concept but has been criticized for his ties to the Nazi regime and unethical practices involving disabled children.
richard nixon and the southern strategy
Richard Nixon's Southern Strategy sought to gain political support by appealing to racist sentiments and conservative white Christians, capitalizing on racial tensions to secure power in the South.
what were the salem witch trials really about?
The Salem Witch Trials have been portrayed in political rhetoric and popular literature as a stark warning about the dangers of isolation, religious extremism, false accusations, and the erosion of due process - all things relevant to this current administration.
the war on drugs - criminalizing enemies is nothing new
The War on Drugs was used as a tool to criminalize marginalized groups, particularly anti-war protestors (hippies) and people of color, by disproportionately targeting them with harsh policies and enforcement tactics under the guise of combatting drug use.
the red scare - why is america so obsessed with communism?
America has entered into wars and permeated foreign government in the name of combatting communism. How is this anti-communism rhetoric influencing today's Christian Nationalism and fear of government handouts?