Casablanca and Defending Democracy

 

Casablanca and Defending Democracy

My This Day in History newsletter provides me with dates that were significant for one reason or another. Yesterday’s featured the debut of the film Casablanca on November 26, 1942. It is a love story but, more importantly, it takes place while World War II was raging around the world. Even though it is an 80-year-old movie, it is my most favorite movie of all time not just because of the romance between Rick and Ilsa but because of the bravery shown by people living in an occupied country.

Casablanca is in Morocco and was occupied by the Nazis. There was a Vichy French presence in the country, but they usually gave in to Nazi rules. Rick ran an international club frequented by Nazis, Vichy, citizens of Casablanca and refugees desperate to escape the country to places of freedom. Rick’s former lover Ilsa and her husband Laszlo are two of those seeking to flee. Rick’s conflict was whether to help them escape. If you have seen this impressive movie, you know the outcome.

Living under a Nazi regime is terrifying and life threatening and, yet there was a time during the movie when people stood up for freedom. This is one of the most moving scenes I have ever seen:

The clear message is yes, we reject Nazism’s oppression and horrors.

I think about how things are and the threat to our own democracy.

Even before tRumpism and January 6, 2021, there have been forces moving on the ultra-conservative right-wing politicians and voters to reject democracy. They prefer fascism, offering discrimination and oppression of people of color, different religions, different gender identities, and, more generally, the middle and lower classes.

We could have lost our democracy on January 6, when tRumper violent militias stormed the Capitol. They dragged along with them tRump supporters that originally meant to just protest but got caught up in the destruction and violence at the Capitol. Thankfully, Capitol police helped legislators, staff, and reporters escape the insurrectionists.

That did not stop the insidious movement of those who would overturn democracy. They populated local governments and school boards with their followers. These people managed to have laws passed restricting the right to vote, our ultimate expression of freedom and choice. TFG appointed his loyal followers to the judiciary, and we began to see fundamental rights overturned and in danger of being overturned.

Despite that, we can save our democracy. Our recent midterm reminds me of that heroic scene from Casablanca. We did not have a huge win, but we prevented the tRumper election deniers from a big win that would allow them control of both legislative houses. It cannot end with the midterm victories though. I am sure the tRumpers and GQP are busily working. n their Plan B, so we have to keep fighting.

Our young people, those of Gen Z, significantly helped us save democracy. All of us must join with Gen Z to continue to protect our freedom.