I am no fan of Donald Trump. Over these last turbulent months, I have hurled many insults at the Republican nominee for President of the United States. Egomaniac. Buffoon. The human embodiment of a shaken up can of orange soda. What you won’t hear me call the man, however, is Hitler.
To be sure, I have no love for Mr. Trump’s proposed policies. In my view, his immigration rhetoric is dangerous; his economic strategies are unfounded; his own personal character isn’t suitable to hold the executive office. Despite what I think about Donald Trump, I will not resort to calling him--as many of my more liberal-minded colleagues have--the American Hitler.
Proponents of this title will argue that the Trump campaign bares many disturbing similarities to the conditions which allowed Hitler to seize power in Germany in 1933. You’ll hear these people declare that Trump’s populist appeal perfectly mirrors the misguided zeal of the German masses which Hitler capitalized on in his quest for unrivaled authority. Further charges will be levied against Trump’s positions on dealing with illegal persons entering the country, comparing them to the Nazi system of racial persecution.
These claims are seemingly a cautionary tale, steeped in a historical narrative to caution the American electorate to forestall the arrival of homebred fascism. The thing is, though, I don’t buy it. “Hitler” isn’t simply a title to be bestowed upon political figures whose views are unsavory to some. To do so would be in wanton disregard for the actual reality of the German state under the leadership of Adolph Hitler. When one makes the comparison between the two figures, they are painting with the broadest of brushes. Yet, history isn’t written in sweeping strokes. History, on the other hand, is narrow and particular. Every action is meaningful. To say that both Trump and Hitler espouse hatred and, therefore, are the same, completely erases the very real existence of Nazi extermination camps which methodically and efficiently wiped out millions of people. Until Trump is in control of actual killing centers, I’ll hold back on using that particular accusation.
In coming out against a specific breed of verbal ridicule, in no way am I saying that you shouldn’t have the right to prescribe whatever words you choose to Mr. Trump. Freedom of speech is a powerful tool, no more so than in the election of our president to be. That said, freedom of speech does not eliminate the consequences of employing such language. Erroneous observations serve only to diminish the significance of the past. It is all of our duty to uphold the integrity of the past, making sure its lessons are never forgotten or abused.
As this election continues, I fully expect Donald Trump to continue saying more erratic, nonsensical words loosely configured into what some might consider sentences. His speeches will incite some and inspire others. In spite of how offensive some of his remarks will be, keep in mind that his antics are a far cry from the destructive and tyrannical behavior of history’s most despicable dictator.
