These are not words one expects to ever write. In my lifetime I can only remember one other time white supremacists openly gathered for a national protest. It was in 1977 and the Nazis marched in Skokie, Illinois. There were only about 30 Nazis and their request set off a firestorm reaction to try to stop them. In the end, the First amendment prevailed.
I raise this event not to debate the rights of extreme groups to protest but rather to contrast the tenor of our times. There are now about 400 Nazis and although there is still outrage, it is far less universal. It starts with President Trump and his refusal to strongly denounce these hate groups. Although I do not believe the President embraces the views of white supremacists, he has purposefully stoked the flames of racism to garner support and energize his base. This is a dangerous game. He clearly has embolden these groups to the point that they have come out of the shadows. Extreme ideas are becoming part of our daily dialog which is the first step in giving them legitimacy.
Could the Nazi party become a political force in America? No, the name is too inflamatory. But the same basic ideas under a new name, the Alt Right, and with no direct mention of a final solution, is a political force with which we now have to contend.
So I hope that millions of Americans speak out tomorrow and denounce racism. Join the counter protest. Make your views known via social media. Reject these extremist views and vote for democrats in November to put a check on the President’s power.