A piece from an old anti-fascist documentary is circulating on social media these days, which I find highly relevant given the current global situation. This storm has its vortex around Donald Trump and his ultra-rich, hyper-reactionary clique.
The documentary Don't Be a Sucker is a short piece of American propaganda produced in 1943 and later updated in 1947. With a runtime of approximately 17 minutes, it was developed by the United States War Department to warn about the dangers of fascism and discrimination in American society.
Its central message revolves around the importance of unity, equality, and the fight against ideological division based on prejudice. It argues that both majority and minority groups are harmed by fascism and that Americans must unite against fascism, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.
From the very beginning, Don't Be a Sucker sets its tone with a scene in which a speaker in a public square riles up a crowd by denigrating various social groups: immigrants, Catholics, Jews, African Americans, and unions. As the tirade progresses, an older man watching the scene realizes the danger of this rhetoric and shares his experience with an average American citizen. This elderly man turns out to be a European immigrant who lived in Nazi Germany and, through his story, warns about the parallels between National Socialist propaganda and the hate speech he hears in the United States.
One of the most notable aspects of the documentary is its way of presenting ideological manipulation. It uses concrete examples of how Nazi Germans exploited social resentment and promoted discrimination to consolidate their power. It illustrates how, by dividing society into opposing groups, authoritarian leaders manage to control and oppress the population. This "divide and conquer" strategy is shown as a latent threat in any society that does not value unity and equality.
In visual terms, Don't Be a Sucker employs a direct and effective narrative style. The staging is simple but effective: the main characters—the European elderly man and the American citizen—converse in a didactic tone that makes the message easy to understand, even for an audience with little knowledge of history or politics. Furthermore, the short film intersperses archival footage and dramatizations to reinforce its argument.
A key point of the documentary is its defense of the American ideal of equality and civil rights. It emphasizes that the true strength of the United States lies in its diversity and in protecting the individual rights of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background or beliefs. At a time when racial segregation was an issue in the country, this message carried particular relevance.
The 1947 update incorporated new elements, such as referencing the dangers of communism and reinforcing the anti-discrimination message in the post-war context. This change reflected the growing concern about the Cold War and the need to maintain social cohesion during a time of global ideological tension.
Despite having been produced over 75 years ago, Don't Be a Sucker remains surprisingly relevant today. Its warning about political manipulation, discrimination, and the erosion of civil rights resonates in a world where hate speech and political polarization are still serious problems.
Its message of unity and civic vigilance continues to be an incredibly valuable educational tool in the fight against extremism and intolerance.
In conclusion, Don't Be a Sucker is a powerful documentary that, despite its brevity, manages to convey a deep message about the importance of social cohesion and resistance against populist propaganda. Its clear narrative style, historical examples, and contemporary relevance make it an essential piece for reflecting on the importance of tolerance and equality in any democratic society.
And above all, dear reader: Don’t Be a Sucker!
