Democracy is yours | Anne Frank House

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Long ago people made a pact with each other so they could live together in peace. A pct in which everyone is free and equal where everyone can say what they think and different views can co-exist peacefully. A pact in which the same laws apply to everyone. This pact worked well and they gave it a name: democracy. The people were happy with this system. Democracy is their pact. The people’s decision. It might not be perfect, but it’s for them, by them, and of them.

Sometimes some people want to withdraw from this pact. They don’t respect the values and agreements and damage democracy. They try to stop others from speaking freely and sharing their views. They don’t see everyone as equal. They isolate groups of people and call them a threat to society. They don't believe in the pact of peace, compromise and cooperation and take the law into their own hands.

Often their ideas aren’t based on fact, but they can still be seductive. These ideas spread and lead to fear, confusion and discord. Although they might seem small and insignificant at first, they can have great consequences. They can lead to a system in which one group decided everything and one person rules over all the others. A dictatorship.

But it doesn’t have to come to that. Do you see this happening in your town or city? Do something about it. Stop it, alone or together with others. You have the power. This is what you can do. Don’t follow the herd and don’t let yourself be seduced by antidemocratic ideas wrapped in pretty words. It’s tough if you’re on your own, but be brave.

The sooner you let your protest be heard, the more effect it will have. Support people and organizations that strengthen democracy. An action group, a newspaper, the library. Donate, become a member, show everyone you support them. Pay attention to the world around you. If you see or hear lies or expressions of hatred, remove these signs.

Speak up, question them, set a good example. Be critical, antidemocrats sow doubt and fear by twisting facts. Don’t believe everything they say. Read up on the subjects. Find the sources. Check the facts and get informed. And above all. Remain connected. Keep the conversation going. If we all live in our own bubbles, polarization grows and society can fall apart. If we stick together we can peacefully solve the biggest problems. Democracy is yours. It’s mine. It belongs to all of us. We have to protect it. Take it seriously. Look after democracy so we can live together in freedom, as equals. Democracy is yours. You are democracy.

DESCRIPTION BY ANNE FRANK HOUSE

How can you resist the erosion of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism? Complementary to the temporary exhibition in the Anne Frank House 'The Frank family in Frankfurt am Main, 1929-1933', a short animation on this subject is on display. The animation is inspired by the book 'On Tyranny' by Timothy Snyder. This American historian, specialised in the Holocaust, explains in a series of ‘lessons’ how resurgent authoritarian ideology can be resisted.
Read more about the exhibition: https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/inside-museum/frank-family-frankfurt-am-main-1929-1933/

Equal rights, freedom and democracy cannot be taken for granted. The Second World War and the Holocaust teach us that democracy and the rule of law are indispensable for a peaceful society. It is important that we learn from history. With this animation we developed teaching materials in different languages. Feel free to use it!
Dutch: https://www.annefrank.org/nl/educatie/product/184/democratie-is-van-jou/
English: https://www.annefrank.org/en/education/product/184/digital-lesson-democracy/
German: coming soon
Portuguese: coming soon
Spanish: coming soon

Animation made by @JOBJORISENMARIEKE © Anne Frank Stichting

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About the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House was established on 3 May 1957 in cooperation with Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father. The Anne Frank House is an independent organisation dedicated to the preservation of the place where Anne Frank went into hiding and wrote her diary during the Second World War. The organisation brings the life story and the work of Anne Frank to the attention of as many people as possible worldwide, partly with the aim of raising awareness of the dangers of antisemitism, racism and discrimination and the importance of freedom, equal rights and democracy.

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4YwdbR2fl8