Over the past 5 years and now more, I’ve been struggling with responsibility. The thought of what that means. Where does it start and where does it stop.
“What fault do I have for if the world is shit? What if people are assholes? What’s that got to do with me? So, what if someone’s homeless? I did not make him take those decisions. Nor did I vote for Putin, Hitler or Stalin, so why should I worry about what’s going on there? Or about that genocide? It’s not like I am pointing a rifle or putting the gun in that soldier’s hand. Just like me laughing at my friend’s cruelty towards a minority of some sort isn’t inherently evil. He didn’t commit and hateful act, nor did I by laughing, right? How am I to blame that hate speech is on the rise? Or fascism for that matter, I just saw to my needs. I worked, I consumed, I slept, I shat, I did not infringe upon anyone directly. Those who do it’s their freedom to express themselves. So why should I be bothered with any of the things that are happening? I alone can’t save the world. Nor can I change anyone’s mind. If someone wants to have their mind changed, they will change it. So why should we impose restrictions? The world still works and it will rectify itself when needed. “
Not that any of these are my thoughts, they are not, they are the thoughts of people you know. Of people I know. Of people someone knows, or of someone reading this. And they are valid, as opinions. Not as truths. The truth is more simple than that, as long as you are not discouraging hateful conduct, you are encouraging it. As long as we don’t face the hate, we propagate it. We have a responsibility, but when we deny it, we send a powerful message forth, “You are as free to be as evil as you like. And do as much of it as it pleases you.” And when that’s the mentality of the “silent majority”, this is a problem. As it gives a lot of power to a minority of hateful voices that will drag everyone down with them…
When fascism reigns, when there’s genocide, when food becomes expensive, housing inaccessible to most, when the pay is stagnant and hate speech is high, there are not “good people” and “bad people”. There’s just people responsible for their choices. You can turn a much of a blind eye as you wish to the “invisible hand of the market”, the imperialist racist violence that is from the civilized “west” or to fascism. And you can try to then help those affected. Or even do some actual good in your own vecinity. But that does not and will not ever absolve you of your complicity in the rise and wellbeing of said violent and oppressive system. Sure, I couldn’t do anything when I was younger, nor did I know what to do and that might be fine. But when you become aware of these things as they have a clear impact in your life and you argue to just let it be or argue that others should do better, you are pro-violence. As you condone and encourage the violent system and its way of working and existing without much to none resistance to it or how it functions. You and I are as much part of the problem as those seeking actively to enact their evil and those who vote for it. As you and I live in this world, take part in this world, and whatever happens, wherever it happens, these things do have an impact on everything.
And whatever thought you might have or rebuttal you might try to come up with, there is none. Inaction itself is also a form of action, or rather the lack of it. The same applies to apathy and willful ignorance. And I am not talking here to those that are overworked and exploited, nor am I talking about to those for whom education wasn’t very good or available to. I am talking to you. Those who live quite comfortably, can read, have some free time to think and consume and believe in “meritocracy”, “self-regulation”, “absolute freedom of speech”, “bootstraps, hustling and grinding culture” or that their lack of involvement absolves them. As harsh as this may seem, the solution is rather simple, do not look away. Do not ignore it, do not justify it, do not encourage it. If you see something of that nature, say something. If you speak out against it, you are not alone. Your actions will give others courage to do the same. Do not let yourself be intimidated by their fervor. Stand your ground against hate, that is the least you could do. You don’t have to actively go and fight someone, you just have to stop it where you are.
This post was inspired by the german writer Thomas Mann, a contemporary of Hitler’s. Especially his “Brother Hitler” essay and the following quote:
“There are not two Germanys, a good one and a bad one, but only one, whose best turned into evil through devilish cunning. Wicked Germany is merely good Germany gone astray, good Germany in misfortune, in guilt, and ruin.”