Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost.nifl.gov [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.7/8.8.5) with SMTP id OAA18249; Wed, 12 Nov 1997 14:28:04 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 14:28:04 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <199711121929.NAA55438@iac6.navix.net> Errors-To: lmann@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Anna Silliman <hoe@navix.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:1502] comparisons to fascist rhetoric X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: RO Content-Length: 1555 Lines: 38 I'd just like to add to Andres' comment about Hitler's writings (spelled "Mein Kampf" by the way) that I do not think it trivializes the experience of Holocaust survivors to compare current xenophobic thinking with the rhetoric Fascists used to gain power. It is reasonable to be concerned that such an event will never happen again, and to look for the warning signs. However, because calling names such as "fascist!" and "Nazi!" has become commonplace in a sort of sit-com semi-humorous (twisted) way, it can almost trivialize the xenophobic behavior by applying an easy label to it. I think there should be a lot more public discussion of the dangers of hating other groups. We should be reminding people, for example, that trouble spots such as Quebec and the former Jugoslavia are places where the experiment of imposing a language has been tried. Do we want that? Hitler and his followers were very adept at creating fear in people. As long as we are not afraid to criticize xenophobia publicly, or to call such behavior what it really is, our freedoms are still functioning--but they have to be safeguarded. Sorry if I'm ranting a little off-topic here. Best wishes, Anna --------------------------------------------------- Anna Silliman, Editor Hands-on English "A helping hand for ESL" P.O. Box 256, Crete, NE 68333 Toll-free: 1-800-ESL-HAND (1-800-375-4263) Phone:402-826-5426 Fax: 402-826-3997 E-mail: hoe@navix.net ***See our website at http://www.4w.com/hoe/ ---------------------------------------------------
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