Of hats and freedoms
A cartoon about Trump's crusade against US universities and another about Italy's Liberation Day.
MUGA
Liberi. (Free.)
Italy, my home country, today celebrates its liberation - on April 25 1945 - from the nazi-fascist regime.
Fascism is making a strong comeback in Italy as much as in the rest of the world. We only have to take a look at what is happening in Germany or in the USA to see that this doctrine is ever more appealing in periods of crisis.
But make no mistakes: fascists are cowards. They hide behind fears, prejudices, worries and social problems and use such problems to strengthen their grip on society, peddling easy solutions, violence, and a nostalgic view of cheap authoritarianism.
Mussolini was a coward. He sent hundreds of thousands to die for his rotten ideals and then tried to flee Italy to save himself, while his country was burning. He failed as a man and as a statesman. Anything good or flattering said of him and his men is a lie. Fascism was - and is - elitist, corrupt, violent, and ignorant.
For me, Liberation Day is a reminder that there are no shortcuts to social and cultural development, and that simplification is the enemy of quality. Populist doctrines want us to believe we can solve our problems quickly, by getting rid of them or of those who cause them, instead of working together to find a solution.
I want to resist anger and fear, and embrace inclusivity and knowledge instead. Only this way can we be free, only this way can we be liberated.
Viva l'antifascismo. E buon 25 aprile!
Free.