The Great Divide

The History

A video on the news this morning depicted white nationalists raising their arms straight out in front of them after Nazi Germany "Hail Hitler" fashion while declaring “hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!” (Source)

This kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable.

The phrase “seig heil”, German for “Hail victory”, was adopted by Nazis in the 1930’s to signify obedience to the National Socialist (Nazi) party’s leader, Adolf Hitler. The promotion of the National Socialist party also served to “glorify the German nation”, which later influenced the German war effort that induced World War II; and subsequently America’s military involvement. (Source)

Perceptibly, recreating this behavior is abhorable for anyone in any country in any time period, but it is most especially deplorable for any member of the United States of America. Tens-of-thousands of American lives were lost as the USA fought against the Hitler’s agenda for world domination during the Second World War (Source). American lives lost to protect our freedom.

Have we no veneration?   

Aside from even that, let us not forget that Nazi Germany and the reign of Adolf Hitler during this time in world history influenced one of the greatest tragedies in the history of all humanity:

The Holocaust.

Is this what we want with the future of our country? Do we, as Americans, want to endure responsibility for such extraordinarily reprehensible events?

And although the First Amendment permits this behavior from the individuals of this country, there is unequivocally no place for an individual to promote this kind of conduct in this country. Particularly in a time when the future of America is so potentially volatile (or "perceptively" volatile, as the case may be).

“Us” Versus “Them”

Granted, the Holocaust is a (devastatingly) extreme example. But make no mistake, this mentality is dangerous even in less significant situations; for instance, posts on social media.

This segregation of “us” versus “them” comes to be problematic when we begin to make sweeping (often deprecating) generalizations about the “them” of our personal affiliation. Posting a passionate but unjustified opinion that makes a derogatory statement about (all of the members of) the opposing opinion can effectively rally together those that agree as well as those that disagree. Which creates a surprisingly distinct and powerful divide almost instantaneously.

And those divisions are broadened as these kinds of conversations ensue with increasing passion and decreased understanding and tolerance.

Conservatives versus liberals. Men versus women. Natives versus immigrants. Theists versus atheists.

Humans do this all the time. We crave inclusion, and as such we seek out those that are most like ourselves with which to spend our time and emotional energy. We want to know that there are individuals that support us, and that will succor us if the necessity arises. And with the invention of social media, the opportunity to interact with these kinds of individuals has become much easier.

Conversely, so has the divide among us.

To make statements using generalizations intended to isolate “us” and pit them against “them” are not helpful and, frankly, are quite often hypocritical.

It is this very segregation, this banding together as “us” to quarrel with the “them”, which provoked Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist (Nazi) Party to initiate the genocide of nearly six million innocent Jews. And although petty social media banter may not necessarily perpetrate an event like the genocide in Nazi Germany, it is definitely not promoting a productive atmosphere for the cohesion and unity of our great nation.

And if America (and humanity) needs anything from its members as we look forward to our future together, it is unity.