I had a landmark moment with one of my Talking Head Shrinks the other week. She asked me if I’m working on my Stalin book because it’s something I feel I “should” do or if it’s something I “want” to do. I’ll be honest. I hadn’t thought too strongly about it, but when she asked me I replied with zero hesitation that it’s something I want to do.
Getting myself re-situated to think this way has been remarkable. I’m reading books and articles that I cited a lot in the capstone paper for one of my minors in college and actually reading what they say instead of cherry picking quotes I think will support whatever point I’m scrapping together. It seems that every day I learn something more that only supports what I think about why it’s important to be public and vocal when discussing 20th century Soviet history.
As I said in my last post there are far too many parallels in the dominant political thought in the United States today and what happened in 1920s, 30s, and 40s in Europe and the USSR. It’s going to take all of us to make sure it’s not hate that wins. That makes sure it’s not violence that wins. Whether it’s reaching out a hand to a neighbor, offering to buy someone a coffee, or giving $10 to that non-profit in town, it’s going to take all of us working together to preserve our Union as a place for men, women, and children off all stripes to feel safe and loved.