IN MEMORY OF HATE

Imagine

Imagine Wanting to Be Known in History for Your Racist, Misogynistic, Anti-Immigration Stand. Isn't That Sad?

We live in a fascinating and often disturbing moment in history. We're witnessing the real-time creation of legacies, and not all of them are built on noble ideals. There's a particular kind of sadness that settles in when you consider individuals, often those holding significant power, who consciously choose to build their public identity and historical footprint on a foundation of racism, misogyny, anti-immigration sentiment, and other deeply hateful views.

A Conscious Choice in a Knowing Era

Unlike historical figures from centuries past, who might be viewed through the lens of their era's prevalent, yet now condemned, social norms, today's prominent voices operate with full awareness of evolving human standards. They are not ignorant of the global consensus on human rights, equality, and dignity. Yet, they make a conscious, deliberate choice to advocate for beliefs that many would consider inhumane or discriminatory.

These individuals are active, present-day opponents of principles that have been hard-won through generations of struggle and progress. This active opposition is not based on any misunderstanding. Something else is driving this movement.

The "Freedom of Speech" Veil

Often, the defense of these divisive views is cloaked under the banner of "freedom of speech." While free speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies, the debate often centers on where the line is drawn between expressing an opinion and inciting hatred or causing harm. For those who champion these exclusionary ideas, their legacy will invariably be intertwined with this ongoing societal discussion: were they champions of liberty, or did they weaponize a fundamental right to promote division and suffering? Think about it, what do these supposedly opposing views have in common? Only a propensity to turn back many of History's forward looking objectives.

Legacies Forged in Conflict and Pain

The legacies of such figures are not shaped in quiet historical reflection but in the immediate, often painful, heated and streamed discourse. Their words and actions have tangible, real-world consequences, inflicting hurt on minority groups, women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. They sow division, fuel prejudice, and, in some cases, directly contribute to policies that cause widespread suffering.

The historical record of these individuals won't be a simple list of achievements. It will be a complex tapestry woven with:

The admiration of their followers - Those who resonate with their message will remember them fondly, perhaps even as heroes.

The fierce condemnation of their critics - Those who are harmed or repulsed by their views will remember the pain, the injustice, and the societal regression they represented.

The broader societal divisions they embody - Their rise and influence speak volumes about the divisions and struggles within contemporary society itself. They become a symbol of a contested era.

The Sadness of a Self-Centered Vision

At its core, this conscious embrace of discriminatory views often stems from a deeply self-centered worldview. It's a refusal to acknowledge the full humanity and inherent worth of all individuals, a desire to control, to dominate, and to dictate the fate of others based on arbitrary distinctions like race, gender, or origin.

To imagine someone knowingly choosing to leave behind a historical memory defined by such negativity -  by hate rather than unity, by exclusion rather than inclusion, by division rather than empathy - well, that is truly and profoundly sad. Such powerful voices decided to focus on that? That´s even a sadder representation of humanity. And a missed opportunity for a legacy that could have uplifted, rather than diminished, humanity.

As we witness these legacies being formed, it's a stark reminder of the choices we all make, and the enduring impact those choices have on the world, not just for today, but for generations to come.

Thanks for reading. Abrazos.

Diego Rojas