WE HAVE A FIGHT TO FIGHT

 

Hello everyone!  I’m Francesco G. and this is my new post. I’m happy to share it with you right today, on 2^nd June, when we celebrate the birth of the Italian Republic (2^nd June 1946). I usually speak about history, especially ancient history, but today I would like to tell you something about anti-fascism.  I will not speak about my political alignment because in order to discuss this topic it is not important to know if I’m a liberal, a leftist or a centrist.  I actually think it is a theme that should find anyone involved and interested. It is about our rights and our freedom.

We live in difficult times: this pandemic has made everything worst. And, as history teaches us (historia magistra vitae), after difficult times democracy is often in mortal danger.  Just look around yourselves: there are even people who would like Nazism to rule, who believe that they are better than others only because of their skin colour, who are very aggressive toward their opponents, who are narrow-minded and intolerant.

                But what can we do?

There’s a frequent mistake: we are used to think that democracy and our right to count on our government’s decisions  is something no-one can get down. We think democracy is inviolable and we take it for granted, but,  unfortunately,  it isn’t so. Democracy  is precious and we must be careful to protect and preserve it.

                As I said before, in history, after difficult times,  there have often been dictatorships and totalitarian regimes arising. Why?

Because for some people it is more convenient to be ruled and commanded than to think and act for themselves. Because they think stability and order are more important than freedom.

Democracies should improve their school systems, because, as once a wise man said: “Racism is fought by travelling, fascism by studying”.

                People are unhappy about their  government’s policies or about  their economic and financial situation and they think a strong and stern ruling class can make them feel safer and happier.  

                At school they should teach us  that some mistakes must not be repeated nor encouraged. They should teach us that people died to make us gain the right to vote or  to not be mistreated. They  should teach us that every time someone pronounces a fascist slogan or makes a fascist gesture, he is not only disrespecting the people who died because of those mad ideologies but he is also spreading them.

 

In our everyday lives, what can we do to avoid the spreading of fascist ideas and values ?

                We all must behave as we should: respecting others, respecting their rights and trying  to make everyone count,   no matter their skin colour, religion, country of origin, sex orientation.  It can appear foregone, but it is not.   This is our fight to fight.  

 

Francesco G., 4sc