Sexual revolution. Cross-dressing. Prostitution. Support for LGBTQ+ rights. There was a transgender advocate, and abortion supporters, all in a big corporation. It felt like chaos—hollow, youthful figures on one side, and people opposing each other on the other.
This was the landscape in Germany from 1918 to 1933, during the Weimar Republic’s existence. It was a time marked by upheaval, following World War I and leading into the Third Reich.
Luigi Bargini, a young Italian journalist, shared his thoughts on Berlin as this era was winding down.
Bargini described a scene filled with confusion, civil unrest, moral decay, inflation, suffering, joblessness, and hunger.
“We saw men dressed as women, and women as men. Veterans on crutches and armless veterans with medals. It was common to see tired, hungry unemployed individuals all around,” he reflected. “Anyone could approach anyone—be it a child, a man, a woman with desires, or… maybe even an animal.”
He recounted a notable story circulating in the city. It involved a male goose that was slain at the right moment for the tastiest dish you could imagine.
“You could enjoy gourmet meals later, but for that goose, well, it was special,” he said.
When Bargini returned to Berlin in 1934, he noticed a stark difference. The streets were tidy, and the trees were well cared for. He encountered “a new breed of people—stiff men in polished uniforms and respectable families,” alongside an elegantly dressed woman who seemed to embody the changes of the time.
“It was definitely a transformed and confusing place,” he noted.
In a way, America feels similarly perplexed. We’re amidst a growing “progressive” movement.
Progress doesn’t necessarily mean improvement; it often just suggests a shift in direction. Former President Franklin Roosevelt steered the nation onto a path laden with bureaucratic challenges that muddled the balance of power. New managerial figures emerged, taking charge, filling gaps where the government previously had limitations.
Currently, many expert opinions are considered “absurd.” These trends have developed over several years.
As noted by William F. Buckley in “The Gods and Men of Yale,” the left seemed to have commandeered Christianity by the 1950s, with Buckley’s observations hinting at the waves of transformation that followed in the ‘60s.
The left capitalized on a Cultural Revolution, winning ground in music, film, and attitudes towards free love. The movement has since embraced issues like same-sex marriage and cannabis legalization, while also reevaluating justice for offenses.
Victories for the left have extended through various institutions, with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 reshaping personal liberties. This led to the adoption of policies that prioritized diversity within organizations, impacting everything from colleges to newspapers.
By 2020, this influence had grown significantly.
Consider the question, “What is a woman?”—increasingly controversial, particularly from a leftist standpoint.
However, the rapid progress toward this ideal has come under scrutiny, even as the left showed strong momentum. Quiet unease has also been building.
Surveys showed that approval for same-sex marriage surged from 1988 until around 2015, before seeing a drop among Republicans in recent years, coinciding with the Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing it nationwide.
This marked a pivotal moment, as the LGBTQ+ community began addressing issues beyond marriage, such as “preferred pronouns” and healthcare for minors.
News came about California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent law on transgender athletes, which has sparked debates surrounding fairness in sports.
The left now seeks not just tolerance, but full endorsement of its values.
According to Gallup, acceptance of same-sex relationships has decreased among the public, particularly among younger generations.
While cannabis legislation has gained traction, some perceptions of its effects have turned more negative across political affiliations.
These complex dynamics have even disenchanted leaders like New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who expressed concerns about the smells associated with legalized marijuana.
Meanwhile, the left identified anti-racism as a significant victory, where even the mere accusation of racism can compel societal punishment.
However, the public’s patience began to wane after civil unrest erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Recent commentary reflects the mundane disputes over identity and pride. While various pride movements have flourished, a phrase like “It’s okay to be white” has been labeled derogatory.
This kind of moral landscape has generally favored the right. Yet, many Republicans still tread lightly around critiques of leftist ideologies, often hoping to nudge America back a decade.
This inclination to rewind the clock raises many questions.
Similar to the Weimar Era, today’s political currents are rapidly evolving, even as claims of prejudice and biases seem to lose their potency.
Support for left-leaning demands is dwindling, especially in the aftermath of recent incidents that have shocked public consciousness.
