Dear readers,
I wrote the op-ed “The Song That Made Fascism Sound Beautiful,” published in The Emory Wheel on Oct. 29. I want to clarify a point that may have led to misunderstanding among readers.
In my article, I reflected on my experience of watching a contemporary revival of “Cabaret” and how the song “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” (2021) serves as more than a historical warning about the rise of Nazism. I discussed how the song’s tone and lyrics mirror elements of rhetoric used by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Some readers I have spoken to have interpreted this comparison as equating the “Make America Great Again” movement with Nazism. However, that was not my intent.
To be clear, the United States is by no means equivalent to Germany under Nazi leadership. Our country is a liberal democracy and constitutional republic founded on values of freedom and opportunity. The atrocities of the Holocaust remain beyond comparison to our present day, and claiming otherwise would invert history. My goal was not to suggest moral or historical equivalence between the Nazis and the Trump administration, but to reflect on how certain patterns — the lure of nationalism, the comfort of nostalgia and the danger of silence — can reappear in different times and places.
I still stand by my argument that “fascism is not a relic of history,” and I believe we can recognize echoes of the past without distorting its horrors.
When writing about extremism, words matter. I appreciate readers’ engagement and the opportunity to clarify my intent because discussions of democracy and history deserve precision and care.
Contact Joshua Glazer at joshua.glazer@emory.edu
