Episode 9: Trump Rally: Are Jews Welcome in America

10/29/24 • 4 min

In this poignant solo episode of "On The Basis of Democracy," host Lisa Singer reflects on the recent Trump campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, addressing the feelings of exclusion and fear experienced by Jews and minorities in America today. By drawing parallels to the America First rally of 1939, Lisa Singer questions the meaning of belonging in a nation rife with division and hate.

Invoking George Washington's affirmations of protection for all faiths, the episode emphasizes America as a refuge against bigotry and celebrates the resilience and contributions of the Jewish American community. This heartfelt discussion reminds listeners of their rightful place in the nation's fabric and encourages a commitment to fostering an inclusive democracy where everyone can thrive safely.

Tune in for a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the enduring spirit of community in America.

Tune in for a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the enduring spirit of community in America.

Previous Episode

Episode 8: Goebbels and the Führer: Unpacking the Mechanics of Hate

In this episode, we delve into the propaganda machine crafted by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Goebbels, which normalized his hateful rhetoric on the global stage. This manipulation was so effective that it earned Hitler the title of Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1938.

We look in-depth at the newly released film: "Goebbels and the Führer," available on Amazon Prime. This compelling film features gripping performances and serves as a vital reminder of the atrocities, masterfully illustrating how the Nazi regime manipulated the media to control public perception—with devastating consequences.

We are honored to welcome our esteemed guest, Professor Thomas Weber, the film's official historian. A prolific author and expert on Adolf Hitler’s life in politics, Professor Weber’s research investigates how propaganda shapes public perception during pivotal historical moments, including the rise of Nazi Germany. His insights are especially relevant in today’s era of heightened political polarization and rampant misinformation.

In our conversation, Professor Weber noted that "it wasn’t just the cult of personality; Hitler managed to create a persona that allowed different people to project their hopes and aspirations onto him. This ambiguity created a platform for Hitler to pursue policies that diverged from why many supporters believed they were backing him."

Join us for this enlightening discussion with Professor Thomas Weber!

Goebbels and the Führer

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30467885/
Trailor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIqeLlET_LQ
Screening: https://ces.fas.harvard.edu/events/2024/10/goebbels-and-the-fuehrer

Professor Thomas Weber:

University of Aberdeen

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/people/t.weber

Publications:

Hitler's First War

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hitlers-first-war-thomas-weber/1100156053?ean=9780199226382

Becoming Hitler: The Making of a Nazi

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-hitler-thomas-weber/1125896143?ean=9780465032686

Our Friend "The Enemy"

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/our-friend-the-enemy-thomas-weber/1112772802?ean=9780804700146

Henryk Ross: Lodz Ghetto Album

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/memory-unearthed-bernice-eisenstein/1128695311?ean=9780300264111

Next Episode

Episode 9: Words as Weapons: Unpacking Trump's Rhetoric and the Rise of Hate

In this compelling episode, Dr. Nicole Asquith joins us to delve into her enlightening study: "We’re led by stupid people": Exploring Trump’s use of denigrating and deprecating speech to promote hatred and violence."

We unpack her analysis of verbal-textual hostility (VTH) in Trump's campaign speeches and discuss the alarming implications of linguistic choices made by politicians in shaping public discourse.

Dr. Asquith shares her insights on the specific categories of verbal hostility, focusing on denigration and deprecation and how they serve as precursors to acts of violence. She highlights the power of political speech in promoting ideologies such as white nationalism and its correlation with an increase in hate crimes and bias-motivated violence, as suggested by the "trifecta of violence."

Throughout the conversation, we touch on significant frameworks and theories behind hate speech, drawing connections from previous studies and discussions in the field of criminology. We also consider the relevance of criminological research in the context of Trump's presumed criminality and its broader impact on American perceptions of crime and criminal law.

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion that sheds light on the intersection of language, power, and violence and explores the urgent need for a closer examination of political rhetoric in shaping societal norms and behaviors.