It isn't difficult to be a victim; we can all be duped; and it is difficult to step out from the crowd and see events in a different light. On the news this morning was a woman who was duped by someone who wasn't who he said he was on an online dating service. She gave him over a million dollars. I see these situations every day--people being mislead and scammed by somebody. I rant inwardly and ask how this can happen to supposedly intelligent, thoughtful people.
Hitler was a scammer, using today's word, and at first, a charismatic individual who fooled many unsuspecting people. Who of us can say that she would definitely see through someone like him or some clever person on a dating service or on her telephone? I like to think I'm smart and way too savvy to fall for some "kool-aid" plot cooked up by a man with a vision; however, until we have been placed in that position, how do we know what we will do or allow?
There are many Anias and Benitas and few Mariannes. There are many more ordinary people who are content to allow the few Mariannes to do what is right, to right wrongs. Too many women allow themselves to be victims because of the lack of knowledge or the courage or because they are in circumstances about which they have little power to control. We all bear responsibility and accountability for our leaders, and more of us are now beginning to use our power and intelligence to speak out against injustice and wrongdoing.
My grown, middle-aged children don't understand when I say I did or didn't do something because it was in a different time. People were different then. Marianne had support in Albrecht and Connie and others in her privileged social circle. Ania relied mostly on herself and Benita chose a different path. She hadn't the strength of either Marianne or Ania.
My husband and I often discuss television and newspaper journalists from totally opposite perspectives. I consider them heroes for being our watchdogs and speaking out, for ferreting out the truth and wrongdoing, even if they are sometimes tiresome and over-report. Many of them are the Mariannes of our era, and they battle despite their fears.