On a dark path

The “Banality of Evil” is back, not that it ever went away. After reading and hearing all the news about the recent killings of Black people peacefully shopping at their local supermarket in Buffalo, N.Y., by a young man of 18, I dug out my 1951 copy of Hannah Arendt’s “The Origins Of Totalitarianism” and her book “Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report On The Banality Of Evil” (1963). Arendt coined the phrase “Banality of Evil” in describing Adolph Eichmann, Hitler’s transportation minister who sent Jews and others to concentration camps and their ultimate death. Arendt’s reporting at his trial in Israel sized up Eichmann as nothing more than a simple-minded man who did what he was told to do. Eichmann was impressed with the cruel rhetoric of the Hitler.

What led this 18-year-old to commit such a horrible crime of taking human lives? What is the message to society he wants to make? The point I am making is that he, like Eichmann, was led to believe and do what he did because the leader of his country at one time, along with others told him in so many words that their way of life is grossly challenged and the demographics of their country is changing. The Buffalo shooter is basically a simple soul and does not understand that his action is both criminally immoral and wrong.

Political turmoil in our country seems to be at an all-time high. The so-called patriots who attacked our Capitol on January 6, 2021, were truly and rightfully labeled “insurrectionist.” Those that participated are plainly guilty of insurrection, and should be prosecuted. Who called them to come to the Capitol? Those that did should also be held responsible, or at least own up to it. A partisan Senate and Congress are driving people apart and that hurts our democracy.

To fully understand how political leadership can lead a great nation with highly educated people like pre-war Germany and other nations with fascist leaders to fall apart, read Hannah Arendt’s book on “The Origins of Totalitarianism.” The similarities with today’s infighting is frightening.

Marvin Cohen

Hamden