American Experience: Nazi Town, USA
Fascism tried and failed to establish itself in 1939. We can't let it happen in 2024.
Tonight was the premiere of the Nazi Town, USA, a documentary that is part of the PBS series “American Experience.”
It was an honor to be part of this film. The story of the German-American Bund and their quest for fascist glory in the United States is both history and cautionary tale.
It’s remarkable to me how much information the filmmakers packed into just 52 minutes. I’ve written much and spoken often about the German-American Bund movement—but there was so much in Nazi Town, USA that was revelatory to me.
As I say, it was an honor to be part of the film. Three personal takeaways on my contributions:
To be honest, the filmmakers and I were laughing after I spoke about the dreamed-for insurrection by fascists on The Capitol Building. I said, “you have to include that one!” I’m glad they did. It points fingers and gives warning without being overt. Or at least too overt.
I meant every word I said about human condition and the things “we don’t like to look at.” And yet….
The special effects were incredible. I looked trim and fit.
Rather than let me blather on, watch the film. Share your thoughts. Let’s start some dialog in the comment section.
And fight like hell. It’s no small irony that this documentary made its debut on the night of the 2024 New Hampshire primary. To paraphrase Sinclair Lewis, we can’t let it happen here.
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Watched it online first thing this morning. It was very good and so terrifyingly relevant today. The parallels were subtle but very clear. Great job. Picked up your voice at the very beginning.
Hopefully the piece may help remind “certain Americans” that fascism and communism aren’t the same thing and that anti-fascism, wooooo “Antifa,” is what we all should be continually struggling for in this country.
You did great (and so fit and trim!!). At every voiceover, D. asked, Is that Arnie? Is that Arnie? Glad you were able to be a part of this.