Step Forward!

Article text

In his book On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century (2017), Professor Timothy Snyder offers 20 lessons on how to recognize and resist tyranny in modern societies. Professor Snyder warns against the dangers of authoritarianism, propaganda, and the passivity of citizens. It is a practical guide for defending democracy - a book described by journalist Carlos Lozada in The Washington Post (2017) “as slim as a pocket edition of the Constitution and almost as important”. Among the 20 lessons, my favourites are: #1 - Do not obey in advance; #8 - Stand out; #15 - Contribute to good causes. I chose the eighth lesson as the title of this text because of its mobilizing effect.

Every oppressive system persecutes the different and the vulnerable, and migrants, alongside minorities, meet both conditions. In an increasingly hostile European political context toward migrants, especially those fleeing armed conflicts, celebrating them is an act of courage. I have colleagues, people working in NGOs assisting migrants in Romania, who have received death threats from far-right groups over the years. They will be the first to oppose an authoritarian regime. Because when you fight for the rights of strangers, you strengthen your ability to fight for your own rights and for those who resemble you.

International Migrants Day serves to honour diversity, tolerance, and, this year, resistance against the fascist currents that emerged during the first round of the presidential elections. To be a migrant and to be respected in the host country is a right that everyone should enjoy, whether you come from Nepal to work in a furniture factory in Romania or go on an Erasmus exchange to Berlin.

A fourth favourite lesson from the 20 presented by Professor Snyder is #20 - Be as courageous as you can. Be brave, celebrate International Migrants Day on December 18, erase racist graffiti from the bus stop, and relish the freedom to do so.