What is the role of the writer during political turmoil such as we have in the US today? Does he bear witness — to whatever cause he espouses? Does he transform the crudities of everyday politics into gold?
This morning the Washington Post has an article about Dmitry Muratov, a journalist and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner, “living on a knife’s edge.” He still lives in Moscow, within reach of Putin, that is, and continues to write about the threats of the regime even when his newspaper is shut down. Even when most critical voices have been silenced, gone into exile or imprisoned and murdered like Alexei Navalny.
It’s too easy to be shrill about such things, even as most of us in the US stay comfortable to date. But if an autocrat like Trump is to win office again, what happens to our comforts and our First Amendment rights? For now we can say pretty much what we want, within decent limits. But then, when the unthinkable and incredible occurs, what then?
We didn’t say anything when they came for the socialists, did we? And then the gypsies, the queers, the Jews. Should it be a surprise when they come for us?
Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord. And Trump for sure thinks he’s the Lord and is armed with vengeance against his legions of enemies. What then? If he loses, a bloodbath, as he asserted in a recent rally? If he wins, more far-reaching acts of retribution?
I exaggerate, you might think. But do I? Is it safe simply to wait and then decide what to do?