How (Fascism) And (Apathy) Are Linked

Every choice we make has consequences, whether good or bad, and that includes choosing apathy. Apathy is a choice, and it’s one that has devastating consequences for society and can lead to bad people preying on the apathy of others for their own benefit. Whether that be for political gain or racist laws, or people taking away books from children, becoming apathetic is something that we all must be wary of.

Apathetic (adjective):

• Showing or feeling a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern; indifferent.
• Exhibiting a disinterest in or an absence of emotional response to something.

Apathy (noun):

• A state of indifference, lack of interest, or emotional detachment toward a particular issue, cause, or situation.
• Absence of motivation, enthusiasm, or passion for engaging in activities or making efforts.

When we bury our heads in the sand and say things like, “This doesn’t affect me; I don’t need to learn about this,” it’s akin to drinking water with salt mixed in. It may quench your thirst for a moment, but in a couple of minutes, you’ll be thirsty again. When we become apathetic toward others and what’s happening in our country, and we bury our heads in the sand, that is when fascism strikes.

Now, let me be the first to say that reading the news can be overwhelming. I understand people needing mental breaks and not wanting to absorb every sad story. However, that being said, a little discomfort now will benefit us as a society more than a lot of distress in the future. If we refused to confront totalitarianism in our country head-on, all you have to do is read a history book to find out what happens next.

Apathy can result in a lack of political engagement and interest, creating fertile ground for the rise of fascism. Corrupt people in political office love it when young people don’t vote, and become apathetic, because it increases their chances of winning. Next time you hear a political candidate wanting to raise the age to vote, Please remember this.

In certain Florida school districts, roughly 300 books were banned from schools within the last year. A teacher in Texas was fired after assigning an illustrated Anne Frank book in September. A video recently surfaced of two Republican state senators from Missouri with flamethrowers burning books. Book burning and fascism go hand in hand, whether you’re talking about World War 2 or the Great Library of ancient Alexandria. The burning of knowledge and fascism are linked throughout history. Anytime you see grown men and women burning books, you know our society is in trouble.

As I reiterated previously, words such as “This doesn’t impact me; I don’t need to educate myself about this” may have significant consequences for all of us as a society. We do not exist in isolation within this country or on this planet, and what affects some of us should genuinely concern all of us. Statements like, “I don’t care about certain people’s feelings; that doesn’t harm my community,” particularly when stated by someone of Caucasian descent with privileges in this country, can be interpreted as apathetic and a refusal to engage in larger and complex conversations. Such declarations may come off as uneducated and also may demonstrate a lack of self-awareness.

Fascism can lead to societal fragmentation. This type of fragmentation can lead to a more divided nation, and more divided communities. Fascism and unity might as well be opposites. When certain groups of people do not trust one another, or believe they are superior to one another, that can lead to a lack of cohesion. When communities come together and do not fragment, there is a lesser chance of fascist ideology winning. When communities unite and act, that is when fascism begins to decline. When we start seeing each other as humans trying to navigate life as best we can, that is also when fascism begins to decline. Because if I see you as human and you see me as human, hate doesn’t stand a chance.

Some people might ask, “What is the opposite of apathy? Is it empathy?” While empathy is important for every society, the opposite of apathy is not empathy; it’s enthusiasm or active engagement. Apathy refers to a lack of interest or emotional engagement.

So, I’m challenging America to stay emotionally engaged, and not to become numb to our surroundings. I’m asking them to listen; nature gave us one mouth and two ears; let us learn how to listen to one another and not become a divided civilization. Because a society that supports one another and calls out racism, sexism, and prejudiced ideology is a society most Americans want to live in. The way we protect against fascism is through education, and the way we protect against fascism is through the Free Press, not by calling journalists the enemies of the people, as a former president has recently alleged. Let us not believe in dangerous trumped-up conspiracy theories. Remember Hitler thought the free press was the enemy of the people as well.

In conclusion, while fascism and apathy are linked, community and understanding are linked as well. The more we listen to one another and act like a community that cares for one another, the more likely we are to rid the world of fascism once and for all.

Here is a list of words that connect with apathy to look out for.

· Indifference: A lack of interest or concern about a particular issue or situation.

· Passivity: Inaction or a willingness to accept circumstances without resistance.

· Complacency: A feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction that can lead to apathy.

· Lethargy: A state of tiredness or sluggishness that contributes to indifference.

· Listlessness: A lack of energy or enthusiasm, often associated with apathy.

· Indolence: A tendency to avoid exertion or effort, leading to apathetic behavior.

· Detachment: Emotional distancing from a situation, resulting in a lack of emotional investment.

· Nihilism: A philosophical belief that life lacks inherent meaning or value, often leading to apathy.

· Desensitization: Reduced emotional response due to repeated exposure to certain stimuli, contributing to apathy.

· Acedia: A state of spiritual or existential apathy and indifference in philosophical and religious contexts.