Immigration and the Road to the Holocaust
Welcome back, readers! This week I read a summary of the many ways that race impacted immigration laws in America, and how that connects to the mistreatment of European Jews at the same time.
Chapter 13 introduced Darwin’s theory of evolution, or “survival of the fittest”. Before reading this, I did not think of Darwin’s theory as a justification for racist ideas. As Aronson explains, however, the theory of evolution was a purely scientific discovery that many people used in their politics and philosophies. Spencer Herbert coined the term “social Darwinism” which was used to apply the “survival of the fittest” concept into comparing the Aryan race to other races. Soon after this, the idea of eugenics, which was essentially human breeding, became common. This idea is mostly unacceptable to me. Of course, most people want the best for their child, as they want them to have a comfortable and long life. However, eugenics also carries the toxic idea that anyone who does not meet a certain standard at birth deserves to die off. Eugenics was used to justify the sterilization of the disabled and the discrimination of people of color. The idea lacks empathy and completely undermines any qualities that non-Aryan people have, as they are automatically seen as inferior.
Aronson then transitions into European affairs. He explains the complex that the German prince, Otto von Bismarck, had about his race. He attributed his successes in battles to being Aryan and is one of many who influenced Germany’s ideas of Aryanism and Judaism. During the stock market crash of 1873, Germany blamed Jews for the failing economy. Famous and admired German musician Richard Wagner was quick to make these assumptions, influencing his large group of fans. Aronson added his insight into this way of thinking through his word choice.
Every action taken by the Aryans at this time were done to paint themselves as justifiably superior. In this passage, Aronson challenges their mentality, calling their actions “heartless”, “grim” and “brutal”. His intention is to establish his idea that Aryans were illogical and damaging as he describes their radical sense of superiority over the entire world. This is effective into appealing to pathos, as most readers today criticize the Aryan mentality as much as he does.
Immigration
Aronson’s focus shifts to New York City as discusses the racial issues regarding immigration. New York was seen as a “gateway to change,” (Page 187) because it was the home of the most immigrants when they first arrived in America in the early 1900s. Despite the abundance of new cultures in the area, groups of immigrants tended to stay with the people from their country, especially the people of color who faced the most discrimination. Soon after the “are Irish people white” debate, Italians began to be questioned when coming into the country. Eventually, the consensus was that Northern Italians were more white than Southern Italians, with Blumenbach’s skull theory having an impact on the decision. This time in American history is an example of the fear that people had of those who were different. The impact that race had on the daily lives of ordinary people shows how the constant need to form groups was very much alive in one of the most diverse cities of its time.
The road to the Holocaust
Aronson uses a quote from The Great Gatsby to open his next topic. The quote reveals that Daisy disagrees with her husband Tom who says that the white race must be preserved because of its superiority but chooses to say nothing to challenge his views. Aronson then transitions into the immigration issues of 1939. Because America was turning away far more immigrants, Jews were unable to escape Nazi Germany. Aronson appeals to ethos by adding that his mother was almost forced to stay in Germany where she would most likely have been killed. This establishes Aronson’s emotional ties with the Holocaust, for his family was hurt by it (which is also noted in the dedications) and he was almost not born because of it. He then explains how Adolf Hitler was influenced by the time period was raised in. From racist Anglo-Saxonists in America to the extermination of Africans in internment camps, Hitler was driven to write Mein Kampf while in jail and begin his reign over Germany.
Thank you for reading this week’s blog, as I will further being exploring this time period and topic.
Chapter 13 introduced Darwin’s theory of evolution, or “survival of the fittest”. Before reading this, I did not think of Darwin’s theory as a justification for racist ideas. As Aronson explains, however, the theory of evolution was a purely scientific discovery that many people used in their politics and philosophies. Spencer Herbert coined the term “social Darwinism” which was used to apply the “survival of the fittest” concept into comparing the Aryan race to other races. Soon after this, the idea of eugenics, which was essentially human breeding, became common. This idea is mostly unacceptable to me. Of course, most people want the best for their child, as they want them to have a comfortable and long life. However, eugenics also carries the toxic idea that anyone who does not meet a certain standard at birth deserves to die off. Eugenics was used to justify the sterilization of the disabled and the discrimination of people of color. The idea lacks empathy and completely undermines any qualities that non-Aryan people have, as they are automatically seen as inferior.
Aronson then transitions into European affairs. He explains the complex that the German prince, Otto von Bismarck, had about his race. He attributed his successes in battles to being Aryan and is one of many who influenced Germany’s ideas of Aryanism and Judaism. During the stock market crash of 1873, Germany blamed Jews for the failing economy. Famous and admired German musician Richard Wagner was quick to make these assumptions, influencing his large group of fans. Aronson added his insight into this way of thinking through his word choice.
“In real life the combination of heartless eugenics, grim race theory, and brutal mobs offered the promise that the Aryans, the steely-eyed winners, could march ‘with a flaming sword’ across the entire world and make it theirs,” (Page 185).
Every action taken by the Aryans at this time were done to paint themselves as justifiably superior. In this passage, Aronson challenges their mentality, calling their actions “heartless”, “grim” and “brutal”. His intention is to establish his idea that Aryans were illogical and damaging as he describes their radical sense of superiority over the entire world. This is effective into appealing to pathos, as most readers today criticize the Aryan mentality as much as he does.
Immigration
Aronson’s focus shifts to New York City as discusses the racial issues regarding immigration. New York was seen as a “gateway to change,” (Page 187) because it was the home of the most immigrants when they first arrived in America in the early 1900s. Despite the abundance of new cultures in the area, groups of immigrants tended to stay with the people from their country, especially the people of color who faced the most discrimination. Soon after the “are Irish people white” debate, Italians began to be questioned when coming into the country. Eventually, the consensus was that Northern Italians were more white than Southern Italians, with Blumenbach’s skull theory having an impact on the decision. This time in American history is an example of the fear that people had of those who were different. The impact that race had on the daily lives of ordinary people shows how the constant need to form groups was very much alive in one of the most diverse cities of its time.
The road to the Holocaust
Aronson uses a quote from The Great Gatsby to open his next topic. The quote reveals that Daisy disagrees with her husband Tom who says that the white race must be preserved because of its superiority but chooses to say nothing to challenge his views. Aronson then transitions into the immigration issues of 1939. Because America was turning away far more immigrants, Jews were unable to escape Nazi Germany. Aronson appeals to ethos by adding that his mother was almost forced to stay in Germany where she would most likely have been killed. This establishes Aronson’s emotional ties with the Holocaust, for his family was hurt by it (which is also noted in the dedications) and he was almost not born because of it. He then explains how Adolf Hitler was influenced by the time period was raised in. From racist Anglo-Saxonists in America to the extermination of Africans in internment camps, Hitler was driven to write Mein Kampf while in jail and begin his reign over Germany.
Thank you for reading this week’s blog, as I will further being exploring this time period and topic.
Howdy Brianna,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I thought it was well organized and well thought out. I can see the effort you put in to analyze everything Aronson developed in this section. I'm glad you mentioned his usage of the quote from "The Great Gatsby". I personally thought Aronson's usage of it was an excellent transition and an excellent way for him to develop his ideas. How did you feel about the short story about the school shooter who ruined music by "Solomon"? If you can't remember, it was on page 182-183. Again, excellent blog!!!
-Charlie D.
Hi Charlie,
DeleteI thought the short story was interesting because it steered me in the direction of thinking about a very prevalent issue: do we support things that people have created if those people are racist, sexist, homophobic, etc? Where do we draw the line? The story was not one that I had heard before and I thought Aronson incorporated it nicely.
Hi Brianna,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I would like to say that you do a great job of promoting this book as I am finding that I very much want to read it. I particularly enjoyed how you discussed Darwin's theory as it relates to eugenics, because I think that a lot of society's discriminatory practices are ultimately rooted in eugenics, yet we hardly discuss it in society. I'm a firm believer in the notion that if you want something to be resolved, you have to be willing to talk about it. I also enjoyed your discussion of the connection to Aronson's personal life regarding his mother; from your description, I gained that it was an especially powerful appeal to ethos. I'm curious to see what aspect of race Aronson will discuss next. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more posts!
Hi Brianna!
ReplyDeleteI think your book sounds really interesting with its discussion of race and the Holocaust. I particularly liked the discussion of Social Darwinism at the beginning. With the advancements in genetic engineering today, I wonder if Social Darwinism will become more prevalent in modern society. We can now code genes, so I worry that certain physical traits will be deemed inferior, and those genes would be modified, eliminating that trait from the human race altogether. That seems very much wrong to me because diversity within a population makes life interesting, let alone being necessary for the survival of our species.
That was kind of a tangent, but I think you did a great job!
Brianna, you've discussed the section of the reading in this section well and discussed a few of the choices Aronson makes. Do you see Aronson's own links to the Holocaust as strengthening his argument and book or weakening it?
ReplyDelete