The embodiment of evil, Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime, is a universally accepted truth that transcends political boundaries.
This consensus is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Americans, who, alongside their allies, battled Hitler's forces on the frontlines of World War II.
The Holocaust, Hitler's systematic annihilation of six million Jews, is an indisputable fact taught in American educational institutions. However, a recent poll reveals a disturbing trend: a growing number of Gen Z Americans, along with a small fraction of black and Hispanic citizens, are beginning to perceive Hitler in a less negative light, even suggesting he had some "good ideas."
According to The Post Millennial, a DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll found that 11 percent of Americans overall, 21 percent of Gen Z and black voters, and 19 percent of Hispanic voters agreed that Hitler had some commendable ideas. The survey, which questioned 1,000 likely voters about their perception of Hitler, found that while 77 percent deemed him evil, 12 percent were uncertain, and 11 percent found some of his policies admirable.
The poll results also revealed a generational divide in the perception of Hitler. Younger voters were more likely to acknowledge Hitler's "good points," with 21 percent of those under 29 expressing this view. This percentage decreased with age, with only 16 percent of those aged 30 to 49, seven percent of those between 50 and 64, and a mere five percent of those over 65 sharing this sentiment.
Political affiliations also played a role in these perceptions. Fourteen percent of former President Donald Trump's supporters found some merit in Hitler, while nine percent of Vice President Kamala Harris' supporters did the same. In the political arena, comparing an adversary to Hitler is often a last resort, given Hitler's universally accepted status as the epitome of evil. However, a Democratic strategist recently drew a controversial parallel between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Hitler, falsely accusing Trump of endorsing eugenics.
James Johnson, founder of J.L. Partners, attributed this alarming trend to the influence of social media on younger Americans' worldview. "If you need an example of the corrosive impact that social media can have on younger Americans' view of the world, this is it," Johnson told DailyMail.com. This poll is not alone in suggesting that Gen Z is more accepting of notorious dictators than previous generations of Americans.
The social media platform TikTok recently removed several Hitler videos that had been dubbed with English translations and had amassed over a million views. While interest in Hitler and the Third Reich is not new, with numerous books and films dedicated to the Nazi era, there is a significant difference between historical curiosity and political justification. The poll results suggest that an increasing number of the younger generation is veering towards the latter, a trend that warrants further scrutiny and action.
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