The changing public perception of Hitler is quite concerning. Nowadays, due to current actions of the settler-colonial state of Israel, many people have taken to social media to praise the former dictator for his actions against the Jews in Germany. However, their opinion is heavily misguided. Hitler was a racist war-criminal who did not draw the line only at killing Jews. His Nazi Party targeted black people, any civilians accused of disobedience, disabled people, political opponents, Romani people, Poles and Soviet war prisoners, amongst others. The truth is that his basis for these targets was merely racism and prejudice, which ultimately led to genocide and the murder of around 17 million people at the hands of the Nazis. This fact is overlooked by those seeking vengeance in a time of instability.
Hitler was not ‘ahead of his time’, he was a dictator with racial biases, something that can be easily weaponised against a different minority. To wear swastikas and praise the Nazis displays ignorance not righteousness.
Syeda Amal Fatima
Lahore
