@robfwtx @Gerry That’s where I think we’ve gone wrong. Germans outlawed the symbols of the 3rd Reich for good reason. I used to be more ambivalent. And watching the spiral into facism, I‘m rethinking. If we don’t stand firm against the public displays of actual anti- democratic symbols- then we continue to invite the bullies to take over. I’d be fine with saying it’s illegal to publicly display it. You want it in the privacy of your home - sure. But flying it- no.

@robfwtx @Gerry it’s a free country for people with money and power who are white. And even then only if they support white supremacy. Otherwise it’s a roulette wheel of health, job security, not getting pulled over for a traffic violation and so forth.

@robfwtx @Gerry The 1st Amendment is meant to protect the people from being silenced by the govt. not allow people to spew violent hatred. That’s why hate crime laws (as badly as they are written and understood) are legal. We must stand for actual freedom of speech not have that co opted by people in power weaponizing the concept.

@robfwtx @Gerry exactly-thank you. That’s why trans people are being attacked so viciously right now. Unless you are a wealthy, powerful, white supremacist (all together - and I don’t assume anyone is/ i let them show me) the risk is death and imprisonment- and other things. I came out in 1998 in Provo, UT. I really do know what I’m talking about.

@robfwtx @Aicila

I feel like I caused a fight. I'm sorry. To me, the story was about a lowlife who thinks it's okay to torment his neighbor.

@Gerry @robfwtx not for me- I think it's important to be able to talk about these issues. And I don't take it personally if someone has a different view. I'm here to engage and connect- and learn. I'm also genuinely trying to understand what actions we can take to address the very concerning trend we are all noticing.

@robfwtx @Aicila

I would like to say, though, I think Germany handles Nazi criminality the right way. The swastika is banned. Nazis are banned. German children learn early about the atrocities of the Third Reich. Children visit the camps, and see that those horrors must never happen again.

@Gerry @robfwtx I agree the education piece (US lack of education) is huge. For example, I grew up watching the Dukes oF Hazard so I have odd instincts of nostalgia around the show that are in direct conflict with my actual values & interests. We've all been conditioned in one way or another. & finding our way through in the midst of the misinformation age is a bit challenging. The only way past that is to talk, listen & learn from one another.

@robfwtx @Aicila

The United States, in contrast, celebrates the Confederacy, and pretends that slaves were happy. So, the way the Republicans behave, it is absolutely right to be concerned that if we take down their monuments, they will try to suppress the Rainbow Flag. That's a real, legitimate concern. I think we would be better off if we followed Germany's example. That won't get rid of all the evil people, but they'll have far less influence.

@Gerry @robfwtx Well & they are showing that the only way to change social norms is to change behavior. There are some very interesting studies on that - I love Hidden Brain- https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/romeo-and-juliet-in-kigali/

this episode touches on research done by a Holocaust survivor about how to prevent and heal from genocide. It's incredibly powerful and interesting.