The acceptability of far right politics

[philmophlegm]

Is this a growing trend I wonder, or has it always been there?

This post was prompted by a couple of comments I've seen on other people's journals lately (by friends of friends (or possibly just posters that were passing by friends' blogs) rather than by friends) and by a preview of a radio programme I saw in a newspaper today.



The radio programme is on tonight (I forget the station or the time), but it is about Heinrich Himmler. The newspaper preview of this programme talks about Himmler as "young and handsome" and refers to a famous photograph of him in his SS uniform gazing into the distance as "iconic".

This is a man who presided over firing squads that executed opponents of the Nazi regime, who presided over the infamous labour camps. Does it make anyone else uncomfortable that he is spoken of as a romantic figure in a national newspaper (The Times in fact)?


I've seen two LiveJournal comments in the last few weeks that have shocked me for similar reasons. One was from a person who liked the fact that her local supermarket sold "Voice of Freedom" (the newspaper of the British National Party) and that she enjoyed reading the copies of "Identity" (a BNP magazine) that a friend of hers always had in the bathroom.

Another comment, from a different person, said in passing that he or she was "a bit of a Nazi at heart".

From the tone and context of these comments, I don't think they were being said in the sense of "free speech is important", I think they were being said in the sense of "I sympathise, at least in part, with these viewpoints".

Am I right to be shocked by this?

Comments

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I hadn't noticed this myself, but you are right to be worried by it.

[pellegrina.livejournal.com]

The comments are certainly disturbing! I haven't seen such comments myself. The "bit of a Nazi" could, with a large dollop of benefit-of-the-doubt, be taken in a spirit of self-mockery, but the BNP reader would appear to be depressingly sincere.

[purplecat]

Ooh! easy question: yes

I wonder if Identity is one of those mags that carefully conceals its true colours amidst breezy general interest articles, horoscopes and quizzes so people can kid themselves they only buy it for the recipes or whatever and don't really pay attention to the newsy bits. An extension of the "(s)he may be a bit racist but (s)he's good fun to go partying with" type of excuse.

[kargicq.livejournal.com]

I think it is getting more acceptable, yes, but I wouldn't take the Nazi quote as evidence, not without a more damning context. I was saying to someone the other day that "I'm a bit of a cycling Nazi", meaning I think the government should pass some really strong pro-cycling laws, e.g. vastly expand proper bike lanes, right to turn left on red, cycle on pavements under 10mph, etc etc. Did not intend to imply sympathy with A. Hitler!

[the-marquis.livejournal.com]

Well the context of the comment about VoF being on sale could be "this person has a Voltairist take on such views", and Identity could be one of those mags that the buyer doesn't read because of who produces it but for other content reasons, and reading it in the bog could mean they go home chuckling about the latest inane ravings. However, I wasn't aware that Himmler could ever be described as young, handsome or iconic - Heydrich maybe, and again that's just the physical looks being discussed, it doesn't speak to the evil bastard persona at all. And the original text might have talked of his fair form and foul insides (in a way which LotR readers could relate to mentally viz Strider in Bree) but been copy edited by some berk with no clue.

As I believe has been said before though it is odd that National Socialism is seen as Far Right, although it does match my view of NewLaborNazis and your own clarification between Tory & Labour vis a vis unsafe bridges.

As for the "I'm a nazi comment" I'm with Pellegrina and Neuromancer on that (and ditto her on bikes).

There may be no black in the union jack but neither is there any pasty white - its never been about the people here! So I'm taking my flag and my heritage back and bugger you jack!

Well I'm no pundit but...

[wryelle.livejournal.com]

Perhaps if the swingometer is heading a long way to the right at the moment, this inevitably results in more people on the Nazi fringe?

I think there is an increasing euroscepticism, and longing for patriotism and national identity. The question is can this produce anything good, whilst steering clear of racism and Nazi-ism. Theoretically I would hope so - but the problem is the acceptable centre-right that is the Tory party is a) not very much different from New Labour, and b) perceived as identified with the narrow interests of the rich. I think this leaves a dangerous vacuum.

[chainmailmaiden]

I think you are right to be shocked. I'm frequently disturbed by the sympathy for the BNP and it's politics in our area. But then we do live in a *very* white area, (which I still can't quite get used to after the amazing racial mix in W'stow).

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

Yes it is happening. And no, I'm not entirely surprised.

With regards to the description of Himmler looking "Young and handsome" in an "Iconic" photograph. Well, that probably is an accurate description. If there's one thing the Nazi party was good at, it was propaganda. Were the uniforms incredibly stylish? Too right they were- they were made that way to attract young men into the organisation. Did they use the finest photographers and cinematographers? Of course they did. Same reason. I don't have a problem with that kind of description being used, because it is accurate. It was all part of how the German people were seduced into supporting the regime.

With regards to the modern rise in far right opinions, I would suggest that a number of factors are involved. There is an increasing dissatisfaction in society today, even though we have far more disposable income than at any time in the past. There are still ares of genuine social deprivation- due in no small part to the hard core of unemployment amongst families where nobody has had a job for two or three generations, and they simply do not have any concept of going out to work. This has in turn led to resentment amongst the low paid workers, who see the "NEETS" as being given better treatment than them. As there are often poor educational levels amongst the unemployed or low paid workers (although this isn't always the case) they are more willing to accept an easy way out which is apparantly being provided by the far right.

Furthermore, many people are disillusioned by the current political parties. One aspect of this dissilusionment is cause by the refusal on the part of the political parties to have any kind of meaningful dialogue about immigration. Whatever one's views on the matter (and bear in mind that I'm married to an immigrant, albeit a white one) there shoudl at least have been a discussion on the matter in hte political arena.

With regards to those who have immigrated, well they haven't always exactly helped themselves to integrate. There are two non-white children in my son's age group at school. In both cases the mothers have been in England for longer than my husband. He's managed to become completely fluent, but they haven't. This doesn't exactly help. Further, the behaviour of members of certain ethnic minorities does play directly into the hands of the extremists on both sides. I'm not condemning the behaviour of these groups as a whole, but equally, I think that the only way to combat the far right is to be realistic rather than trying to brush everything under the carpet.

There is a further factor at work. Being a member of the far right is a rebellious thing to do- certainly more so in Germany than here, but even so, it is still a way for people to push against the percieved norms of society. There are strenuous efforts made to supress their views in the press, which not only inhibits their freedom of speech, but plays right into their hands- which is precisely what I told the woman who tried to get me to sign a petition to ban the BNP. I don't like them, but I value freedom of speech, political opinion and association more.