Stumbled across this article while surfing the net this morning, and I’d be interesting to hear what others think about it.

Getting Rid of Nazi Memorabilia Is Harder Than It Sounds - VICE

It seems to be centred around the idea - once again - that all collectors of Third Reich militaria must be ideologically motivated. Not may be, but ‘must’ be.

Why else would someone want to collect things related to the Nazis, after all? Historical interest? Don’t be silly! We’re all skinheads and neo-Nazi nutters!

This sort of logic really gets to me, mainly because it’s attacking me - and by extension all of us - on a personal level. How can someone who’s never met a militaria collector in their life make such massive judgements on their motivations and ethics? How can they possibly justify tarring everyone with the same dirty brush? Can they read minds? Are the Thought Police watching us through our telescreens?

The alarming thing is that this dogmatic, reactionary school of thought seems to be getting to the point of being commonplace. People don’t judge others on their personal merits anymore. They don’t care about the facts or about reality. They simply accept the logic they’re spoonfed and leave it at that. No time for individual thought or common sense.

This worries me deeply. If this kind of thinking becomes ingrained in society, how will the physical remnants of the past survive? How much of it will be destroyed because it makes people uncomfortable?

The past is unpleasant, horrific even. But that’s no excuse to try to censor it.

Rant over. Thoughts, everyone?

Regards, B.B.