Bread

 I cannot recall the exact year—whether it was 2022 or 2023—but I remember a lecture given by a German gentleman who was married to a Brazilian woman and living in Brazil at the time. He was the son of a German soldier who had fought in the Second World War. I had this invaluable opportunity whilst studying at Senac.

He began by explaining that Nazism did not happen overnight; there was a deeply turbulent process that led to its emergence. He then said, “Despite what people might think, my father was not a Nazi.”

At that exact moment, I reconsidered my conclusions. I could only think of the German saying that if you are sitting at a table with a Nazi soldier and you do not stand up, you automatically become a Nazi through acquiescence. Despite this, I reflected on it with a great deal of empathy. He could well have been a wonderful father and husband, yet even so, I cannot bring myself to say he was a good man. At that point, I thought about the wives of Nazi soldiers. Did they automatically become Nazis too? What should be done with those who turn a blind eye? The same as what is done with Nazis?

It is difficult, but as he said, there was a process that allowed Nazism to take root. He then handed us a sheet of paper featuring a drawing of a woman and her children, with the German word for bread written on it. He taught us about hunger.

Now, I must state that the analysis I am about to undertake will be purely sociological and philosophical and will not express my personal opinion, as the intention is to reflect upon ideas that are firmly established in our minds.

What is hunger capable of doing to a nation? What is its social impact?

Hunger and inequality lead to mass death, revolt, and, above all, the struggle for survival—which can breed internal conflict amongst the people themselves. The reality is that in these situations, there is a need to find someone to blame. That is it: blame. Why would blame resolve anything? Perhaps because if you identify the culprit, the problem automatically appears to be solved.

Are the general population to blame? For what? Who are those most severely affected? Women and children are the most profoundly impacted in wars, whether religious, cultural, or territorial. This occurs because they are viewed as prey and can be—and are—used as objects, either for control, as they are not seen as possessing the right to make decisions, or as sexual objects. This is a matter of fact. For instance, what were the initial news reports regarding the current war between Israel and Hamas? The earliest reports were of women being raped and dismembered by Hamas. Other matters received far less coverage—such as the verified reports that Israeli soldiers had raped women and taken their clothing as trophies. Now, to continue examining this social context, let us step back in time.

During the Great Famine in France, for example, archaeological evidence indicates that cannibalism occurred amongst the population. This is precisely why stories such as Hansel and Gretel emerged. People were abandoned to die or were cannibalised. Parents would tell stories all night long so their children could sleep and forget their hunger.

Cannibalism: Obviously, cannibalism is not normal; however, in extreme circumstances, it occurs. That is the point: extreme circumstances. Germany was in an extreme situation. What happens is that in such dire circumstances, any effort to rescue people from their plight—even if led by misogynistic individuals—allows manipulation to take root, precisely because these people are vulnerable and facing certain death.

The issue then shifts: how and why do extremist, misogynistic, and segregationist groups emerge? The simplest explanation would be power, but let us delve deeper.

Have you ever heard the phrase: "When education is not liberating, the dream of the oppressed is to become the oppressor"? This quote by Paulo Freire is set within the context of education as a tool for liberation. Do you see where I am going with this? I mean that hatred, resentment, and revenge drive people and mobilise them. This does not mean that only intense emotions are at play—there is a great deal of strategy and often personal interests behind it—but it is these feelings that give people a sense of belonging to a particular group. It is these emotions that manipulate the masses.

If you disagree or have something to add, please feel free to leave a comment.