Witnessing History Repeat: My Experience with Authoritarianism’s Rise

History has shown that authoritarianism does not take power overnight. It creeps in slowly, disguised as necessity, order, or even patriotism. In recent years, I have watched disturbing parallels emerge between our present and the authoritarian regimes of the past, particularly Nazi Germany in the 1930s. My personal experiences with political hostility, gaslighting, and dehumanization have made it painfully clear how these dangerous ideologies take root—and how people are conditioned to ignore or even support them.

The Slow Creep of Authoritarianism

Authoritarian regimes rarely seize control in a single, dramatic moment. Instead, they build power gradually, chipping away at rights and freedoms while normalizing oppression. In Germany, the Nazis did not begin with mass extermination; they began by demonizing certain groups, undermining democratic institutions, and convincing the public that their actions were justified. Today, I see the same patterns emerging.

The recent suggestion of sending immigrants—and even American citizens—to Guantanamo Bay without due process is one example. This kind of extrajudicial imprisonment was once unthinkable, but now, people openly discuss it as a legitimate policy option. Worse, when I speak out against it, I am met not with rational debate but with accusations of paranoia or mental instability. This is how authoritarianism thrives: it isolates dissenters, making them feel crazy, while the majority either supports the repression or looks away.

Gaslighting and Silencing Dissent

One of the most frightening aspects of this shift is how quickly dissent is dismissed. When I point out the dangers of these policies, I am not engaged with facts or reasoned arguments. Instead, I am called "crazy" or "paranoid," as if recognizing historical patterns is itself a mental illness. This is a classic authoritarian tactic—discrediting critics by attacking their sanity rather than addressing their concerns.

This strategy was also used in Nazi Germany. Early opponents of Hitler’s policies were dismissed as alarmists. Many Germans could not believe that their country, one of the most advanced and cultured in the world, could slide into dictatorship and genocide. But by the time the reality became undeniable, it was too late. The people who had warned of danger had been silenced, exiled, or worse.

The Danger of Apathy

Perhaps the most terrifying part of all this is not just the actions of those in power, but the apathy of the general public. Many people don’t care about what is happening—or worse, they actively support it. In Germany, large segments of the population were either indifferent to or complicit in the Nazis’ rise. Today, I see people justifying human rights abuses, dismissing concerns about democracy, and mocking those who try to sound the alarm.

It is easy to look back on history and say, “I would have resisted.” But resistance is difficult when the weight of public opinion, government propaganda, and fear all push people toward compliance. Many people today assume that authoritarianism could never truly take hold in the United States, just as Germans once believed their democracy was unshakable. That complacency is exactly what allows tyranny to take root.

What We Can Do

The biggest lesson from history is that silence enables oppression. If people do not speak out, authoritarianism only grows stronger. That is why, despite the gaslighting, fear, and hostility, I refuse to stop raising my voice.

We must learn from the past and recognize these warning signs for what they are. We must support those who speak out, resist attempts to normalize oppression, and refuse to be intimidated into silence. Most importantly, we must remind others that authoritarianism does not announce itself with flashing lights and sirens—it creeps in quietly,