It’s The Same Mind-set…… Fake News….
by Bernie Bell - 11:30 on 20 January 2023
It’s The Same Mind-set……
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I recently received this, via ‘Freedom From Torture’........ https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/ …..
“This week, at 83 years old, I went viral. I confronted our Home Secretary about the dangerous words she uses to talk about refugees like me – but she refused to apologise. Will you stand with me?
I told her that the words she uses remind me of the words used to dehumanise and murder my family. Yet rather than listen and change course, the Home Office tried to get the video of me taken down.
I won’t give in. Next week is Holocaust Memorial Day and I’ve got a message for Suella Braverman: stop scapegoating refugees and start helping them. Like me, they are simply fleeing to save their lives. Sign my open letter telling the Home Secretary not to forget the lessons of the past.
I saw what happened when people in power convinced their population that Jewish people like me were less than human. I will not allow refugees today to be dehumanised in the same way.
That’s why I speak out with organisations like Freedom From Torture and anti-genocide charity Aegis Trust – and if the government thinks I’ll quieten down, they can think again.
While our politicians try to divide us, I know most people in this country want people like me to be treated with dignity and respect. After all, it was the kindness of strangers that helped me rebuild my life here in the UK. As millions watch and support me, I am struck by the kindness of strangers again this week.
As we approach Holocaust Memorial Day, please: let’s not give in. I made a dangerous journey to save my life - now I’m standing up for refugees and torture survivors who do the same today.
Sign my open letter to tell the Home Secretary: Don’t forget the lessons of the past. We demand safe routes for refugees, not scapegoating.
Thank you,
Joan Salter
P.S. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the video of me confronting Suella Braverman,
here’s the video of me confronting Suella Braverman. "
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Fake News….
Re. the spreading of negative propaganda against groups of people…..here’s a very good, and relevant, article in ‘The Orkney News’ …..
https://theorkneynews.scot/2023/01/19/why-does-fake-news-spread/
And my response to it….
“People like sensationalism. Many are more interested in what is lurid than in what is so. As you say Fiona, it’s something we humans have done through time and across cultures.
It takes a bit more effort to track down the reality of situations – or, as near as we can get to the possible/probable reality. People like being fed with what’s easy for them to take on board.
I’ve had someone standing in my Living-room, shouting at me for wearing a mask and being vaccinated, and telling me that she “knows people” who have died from being vaccinated. Her behaviour had a lot to do with hysteria – another contributing factor to human reactions to crisis.
In times of crisis people tend to look for easy answers and to follow the easy path.
The problem is – the misinformation, and the rot which it produces, can now be spread so much more widely and efficiently……
https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/12/03/poetry-corner-the-house-of-lies-on-the-social-media/
To quote Maxi Jazz, again…”Misinformation is a weapon of mass destruction.”
People like, to get ‘Likes’.
Mud – sticks.”
I’m thinking of near the beginning of the film ‘Cabaret’ where the basically good-natured but not deeply thinking inhabitants of the boarding house are discussing what the papers say about Jews.
I remember seeing ‘Cabaret’ when it first came out and appreciating the messages about how propaganda works. To be aware. To be aware when hatred is being built up. Be aware when neighbours start to ’disappear’ inexplicably.
I think it’s a wonder of a film, with many messages for our time, too……. “If you could see her through my eyes……………”
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Here’s one I made earlier…. https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/10/04/when-people-put-people-outside-the-pale-outside-society/
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