The head of the right-wing extremist AfD in Thuringia, Björn Höcke, has shared a post on social media that contains an anti-American, racist and anti-Semitic caricature.
How »Welt« first reported, the drawing created by Harald Damsleth in 1944 was published in the Dutch SS newspaper “Storm SS”. This weekly newspaper of the “Germanische SS”, a foreign SS unit, appeared between 1941 and 1945.
According to “Welt,” Damsleth’s drawings were intended to motivate the SS to continue fighting and to fuel fear of American and Soviet soldiers. The caricature in the article distributed by Höcke shows America as a monstrous figure.
Star of David on Masonic apron
The American Air Force insignia can be seen on its wings. The figure also wears a Star of David on a Masonic apron, a Klu Klux Klan hood, a rope and a money bag to which a person with a hooked nose is clinging. Jews were portrayed accordingly in Nazi publications.
There are also two degradingly drawn black people in a cage, bombs hanging from the figure’s legs and other features typical of caricatures printed in Nazi publications.
The article with the Nazi caricature distributed by Höcke came from the right-wing online publication “We ourselves”. By “World” article Regarding this incident, it is said that neither a reference to the Nazi origin of the caricature nor any classification was added to the shared post.
Höcke was recently convicted twice for using the SA slogan “Everything for Germany.” He is repeatedly accused of using Nazi vocabulary. and
**How do Höcke’s stated political positions and past actions, including the use of Nazi-era slogans, shape the public’s understanding of his intent in sharing this poignant caricature?**
## Interview: Björn Höcke’s Sharing of Nazi Imagery
**Introduction**
Welcome to today’s discussion, a critical examination of the recent incident involving Björn Höcke, leader of the AfD in Thuringia, and his sharing of a deeply problematic caricature. We are joined by [Guest 1 Name], [Guest 1 Credentials/Expertise], and [Guest 2 Name], [Guest 2 Credentials/Expertise].
**(Theme 1: Understanding the Image)**
* **Guest 1:** This caricature, originating from a Nazi SS publication, is rife with hateful stereotypes. Can you elaborate on the specific anti-American, racist, and anti-Semitic tropes employed in this image, and what messages they were intended to convey?
* **Guest 2:** Höcke shared this image without any contextualization. What does this lack of commentary suggest about his intent and understanding of the historical weight of this imagery?
**(Theme 2: The Role of Context)**
* **Guest 1:** There’s often a debate about the appropriateness of sharing historical imagery, even for educational purposes. Do you believe Höcke’s sharing of this image, irrespective of context, is ever justifiable, or does its inherently hateful nature preclude any form of usage?
* **Guest 2:** Höcke’s past actions, including the use of Nazi era slogans, raise concerns about his motivations. How does his history influence our interpretation of this particular incident?
**(Theme 3: Implications for Political Discourse)**
* **Guest 1:** This incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the normalization of extremist views. How do you think this type of imagery, and its dissemination by political figures, impacts public discourse and political debate?
* **Guest 2:** What measures can be taken to counter the spread of hateful ideologies online and ensure that platforms are not used to propagate such dangerous content?
**(Theme 4: Responsibility and Accountability)**
* **Guest 1:** What responsibilities do individuals in positions of power, like Björn Höcke, have in using their platforms wisely and responsibly?
* **Guest 2:** How should society respond to incidents like this? What steps can be taken to hold individuals accountable for sharing hateful or dangerous imagery?
**(Conclusion)**
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the persistence of hateful ideologies and the importance of vigilance in combating them. We thank you both for your insightful perspectives on this crucial issue.
