In light of the recent shooting
of African immigrants I immediately thought of this DW story I saw. Of course
it would be a mistake to automatically equate the once secessionist Lega Nord
(The Northern League) with fascism but there are overlaps. Lega Nord's
nationalism and anti-immigration positions will resonate with Italy's fascist
element and it provides a legitimate political outlet for those who are
flirting with fascist ideology.
I think what I found most
interesting about the DW report was the passing mention (and video clip) of a
Roman Catholic priest performing a 'Fascist Mass'. It's noteworthy that there
are still minority elements within Rome that are quite supportive of fascist
ideology and would view the days of Mussolini, Franco, and Pavelic... and
perhaps even Hitler as being something of a golden age.
I'm sorry to report that
it has now been two decades since I've spent time in Europe. I've always
closely followed its politics and news and yet I miss the conversations that I
once was able to have. I cannot emphasise enough how the mood has changed. When
I was there in the mid-1990's it was all optimism. The Cold War had just ended
the EU was on the rise and borders were open. People were excited, encouraged
and upbeat. There were some voices of concern but they were essentially drowned
out. It's hard to believe that two decades later things have turned this sour.
Right-wing movements were around in the 1970s-1990s to be sure and there was an
explosion of skinhead Neo-Nazi groups in Eastern Europe with the fall of
communism. It's not too hard to understand why but they were viewed as
anomalies. No one thought this ideology would spread and experience something
of a revival in the 21st century. These groups were viewed as
anachronistic.
Times are changing. These
groups still represent very small minorities but they're growing and it
wouldn't take much for a quick escalation to take place. Another terrorist
attack, some kind of mass social tension, almost anything really and these
groups will swell in numbers.
Like it or not the
European Church... I'm here speaking of those congregations attempting to
constitute themselves on a Scriptural basis... will have to reckon with this.
It has and will continue to generate controversy and division.
The article leaves a lot out but is nevertheless worthwhile. Interesting how Ezra Pound's legacy lives on in Italy. The Guardian is like NYT.... good on some things, really awful on others. I read both but with a serious grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteI am also reminded of the fact that while I lived in Italy from 1995-97, I never encountered another American who had any clue about post-war US involvement in the country, its manipulation of elections or why a lot of Italians were bitter against the US and certainly against its military bases. During the Bosnia campaign the protests outside the base kicked up a few notches but I don't remember any Americans wondering why. Any anti-Americanism was dismissed as stupid, communistic or envy.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/feb/22/casapound-italy-mussolini-fascism-mainstream