Should We Worry About the Neo-Nazi Creeps?
With all the fuss recently here in the UK about the BBC allowing the right wing nutter from the BNP to appear on television airing his loony views I've been seriously thinking about whether we have a reason to worry.
I don't think it should be a worry at the current moment. We live in a country which is fairly wealthy and happy. People have food, clothing, movies, TV, Internet, gadgets, mp3 players, public libraries, pubs, clubs, dances, schools, jobs, unemployment benefit, national health service, holidays, etc. etc. There is a small amount of racial mistrust in the country but it's more than balanced by racial harmony and a love of diversity. We're a long way from the situation Germany was in when Hitler was able to rise to power. The Nazis were able to take advantage of resentment about losing World War One and to exploit an undercurrent of anti-semitism. We don't have those conditions which a fascist could use as a soapbox.
However, my worry is for the future.
In another 20, 30 or 40 years, when global warming really kicks in, then what?
When the coastline begins to be eroded and this little island of Britain gets even littler. When people need to re-locate from seaside towns to some place further inland and there's less room and greater anxiety. That's when we should be worried about fascists and other opportunists trying to take advantage.
I don't think it should be a worry at the current moment. We live in a country which is fairly wealthy and happy. People have food, clothing, movies, TV, Internet, gadgets, mp3 players, public libraries, pubs, clubs, dances, schools, jobs, unemployment benefit, national health service, holidays, etc. etc. There is a small amount of racial mistrust in the country but it's more than balanced by racial harmony and a love of diversity. We're a long way from the situation Germany was in when Hitler was able to rise to power. The Nazis were able to take advantage of resentment about losing World War One and to exploit an undercurrent of anti-semitism. We don't have those conditions which a fascist could use as a soapbox.
However, my worry is for the future.
In another 20, 30 or 40 years, when global warming really kicks in, then what?
When the coastline begins to be eroded and this little island of Britain gets even littler. When people need to re-locate from seaside towns to some place further inland and there's less room and greater anxiety. That's when we should be worried about fascists and other opportunists trying to take advantage.
posted by Speculativism at October 24, 2009
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