r/AntifascistsofReddit • u/word_word12 • 7h ago
Video Francoism is on the rise for Spanish Youth
This is something I saw and thought should be shared. I am Gen Z, and the youth in question in this video are about my age.
It discusses the growing political movement among young adults towards a dictatorship, seeing what Spain was under Franco as something to return to, and something of praise. I am a bit appalled, but I have a viewpoint others may not, even in Spain.
For context, I'm American but my grandfather is a Spaniard, now 97. He grew up as a child during the Spanish civil war and then the dictatorship under Franco.
In advance, I'd like to note the next things may be a bit dark so be aware of that đ!
I only have one big story about my grandfather's life during that time, or at least about the dictatorship. He grew up having to sleep fully dressed in case of bombings, and hearing the news of destruction and death in his home country. I don't know how old he was when this story took place, but several of his siblings hadn't been born yet.
On an evening, police came to their home and arrested his father. I'm not sure if they said why to the family but all of a sudden his father was arrested and jailed. My great grandfather was a scissor grinder and had a shop in their city. A competitor had decided to lie to the police, saying that my great grandfather was teaching communism in the family's basement. Such a basement did not exist but the police didn't seem to care.
While in jail, a friend of his who was a judge from the same home town found him and advocated for him, allowing him to return home. He very easily could have been killed if this hadn't happened, mind you, all because of a lie.
My great grandfather never pressed charges against the competitor who lied to the police, and I am very glad. He was honest in a time of hatred. He lived where others may not have been so lucky.
I hated the fact that under Franco this could happen, and I don't know how much this has affected my grandfather as the years have passed. He moved to the US after becoming a doctor in Spain, treating people in Eastern and Central Kentucky before moving back to Spain 20-30 years ago. By then Franco was dead and King Juan Carlos was the leader. Over the years Spain has grown, and my grandfather praises the good in his home. Education and healthcare are accessible, and people are free to be themselves. The government works more for the people than before, and the benefits my grandfather saw because of this were a blessing, especially as his health declined over decades.
I wanted to note also that my grandfather never, NEVER supported fascism even when he grew up with it. He advocated against war in the States, including Iraq and Vietnam by writing letters and even putting a statement in the newspaper along with other doctors. He hates to see where the US is going now, too.
When the Trump administration (a little off topic) tried to rewrite the events of January 6, 2020 this year, I asked my grandfather if such a propaganda move was common under Franco. He told me that propaganda was not a concern, because you woke up every day knowing it could be your last.
I know this is long, and thank you for reading all of this if you have made it this far. I am shocked and even bewildered by the news I saw, and even if 20% of the people want to see another dictatorship, it worries me when it was already so recent. I hope this was worth the read, and thank you once again.
