News Alert
|
Get intelligent!
|
Main Menu
| Home |
| Radio Shows - LISTEN |
| Brad's Blog |
| Irwin's Blog |
| Brad In the Media |
| Irwin in the Media |
| Bridges TV - WATCH |
| Podcast |
| Forum |
Members Login
| Brad Blog Dec 26, 2007 |
|
|
| Wednesday, 26 December 2007 | |
|
Will Smith, Hitler, and Us
 posted by Brad Hirschfield in reaction to actor Will Smith's comments about Hitler
No, Will Smith did not say that Hitler was a good guy. Yes, Will Smith made the following remarks over the Christmas weekend: "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good." And I am glad that he did!
Now will I get into trouble?
The point is that running around calling bad people who do terrible things “evil” and pontificating about how bad we really think they are, is nothing more than an exercise in self-congratulation for our being better than them. If we were serious about making sure that there were no more Hitlers, or at least fewer of them, and that our responses would be quicker and more successful than one that allowed twelve million innocent victims to die, we would do exactly what Will Smith has done i.e. try to understand the dynamics by which vicious hateful ideologies successfully wrap themselves in the garments of positive social change. But, because most of us are afraid that when we admit that people often do terrible things, not because they are sick or cowardly, but because they are trying to make a contribution to the world, we somehow soften our objection to the means they use of the goal they pursue. In fact, it is only when we identify the seductive kernel of positive motivation that is present, that we can effectively engage and if need be, actually fight those who pursue hate and violence. Pure hate or anger actually burn themselves out pretty quickly, but it is the marriage of a drop of goodness and a ton of hate and anger that can sustain itself for long periods of time. I know, it’s easier to simply piously mouth “I hate Hitler” than it is to really examine the hurts and angers of the world that are exploited by bad people. That doesn’t mean we excuse anyone who hurts or kills simply because they are hurt or angry. Once they have acted, they need to be punished. It simply means that among the tools we possess in our arsenal for fighting all people and ideologies that mask their fanatical hatred behind words of righteous indignation, is understanding – not acceptance of approval, but understanding. That understanding, combined with a more traditional arsenal is a powerful combination in any fight. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|