Re: The Age article on web site
A sensible letter (imho) about the article got into print this morning:
'Nazi' is not a word to be used lightly
When I saw Jim Schembri's article "The Bike Nazi Party" in Friday's
Age (Metro, 25/8), I read on with concern. I presumed that it would be a discussion of the hitherto undocumented existence of a neo-fascist group of bike riders bent on immortalising the superior genes of the Aryan race, and advocating mass murder and political mayhem.
I was horrified to realise that Schembri had used the term, "Nazi Party" in a light-hearted article discussing the often annoying, but far from homicidal, antics of Melbourne's lycra-clad bike brigade. "We all yearn to be unshackled from convention"? Is that what motivated the Nazis? Boy, did they ever unleash the inner beast. How about "we all wish to herd millions of innocents into gas ovens"?
I am not a reactionary; quite the opposite. However, it seems grossly insensitive and irresponsible to allow the term "Nazi" to formally enter the vernacular as a term of jest.
While Jewish comedians such as Mel Brooks have used comedy to undermine Hitler's legacy very effectively and appropriately, they do so in context and with a sense of history. However, to use the term "Nazi" as Schembri has done removes it from its terrible origins. In an attention-deficient age when history is something that happened last week, respected and skilled writers such as Jim Schembri could use their voices to remind our society what the Nazi Party really stood for, and the terrible legacy it left us.
In a very real sense, Hitler's repulsive campaign directly led to the current wave of terror and fear that is engulfing the world. We should never forget what he did.
Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios, St Kilda Easthttp://www.theage.com.au/letters/index.html
cheers,
ali