Institutions are pillars that maintain fairness and decency in our society. They range from:
- Labor unions
- Media outlets
- School boards
- The court system
- The environment
- Experts in any field
- The education system
- The government itself
- Law enforcement and even the FBI
- Specific laws like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights
- The healthcare system and healthcare professionals
And there’s plenty more. These institutions need our protection, just as we depend on them to maintain order and fairness. You must pick at least one and support it. These institutions are under attack today by Republican politicians and their white evangelical Christian billionaire backers.
Making Institutions Our Own
To truly consider an institution as “ours”, we need to:
- Actively participate in its functioning
- Stand by it during times of adversity
- Show unwavering support when it comes under threat
At the current time, there is no more significant threat throughout America than there is for school boards. School boards are being taken over by well-funded groups like Moms for Liberty. While their title sounds wonderful, their intention is not. We must defend the institution of school boards.
Misplaced Assumptions and The Lessons of History
Often, we mistakenly believe that institutions can withstand any assault on their own. This assumption can lead to serious miscalculations, as was evident from a historical incident in 1933, in Germany.
The Fallacy of 1933 Germany
When Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party came to power in 1933, many German Jews thought:
- The new government wouldn’t implement the extreme measures proposed in Nazi publications
- They wouldn’t take away the constitutional rights of the Jews
- The new rulers wouldn’t subject the Jews to unfair treatment
However, these beliefs were tragically mistaken.
The Reality: Institutional Transformation
Despite the faith people had in the inherent balance of power, Hitler’s government took steps to completely change Germany’s institutions. They:
- Gradually stripped institutions of their power and effectiveness
- Reduced them to mere symbols of their former selves
- Bent them to serve the new regime
This approach allowed the Nazis to consolidate their power within a year.
The Imperative to Defend
Looking back, it’s clear that our institutions require our active defense to protect the fairness and decency they uphold. The lessons from history are a stark reminder that it is our responsibility to ensure these institutions continue to function as they should. By standing up for what we believe in and protecting our institutions, we ensure a fair and just society for ourselves and future generations.