Throughout the Second World War unit in Social Study eleven, a question always bothered me. The question is that, how did a maniac like Adolf Hitler gain the power and trust of Germany? How did he manage to manipulate the minds of over 67 million Germans and spread hatred and oppression like a plague across the country? Recently, a book not only answered my question, but also makes me reconsider the purpose and goal of an activity that I have been participating for years.
“The Wave” is young adult novel based on Ron Jones’ social experiment of the same name. The book features a high school history teacher who finds it difficult to explain how it may have been living in the Third Reich Germany, so he initiated a social experiment named “The Wave” in hope to demonstrate to his students why Hitler rose to power in Germany.
As an Air Cadet, this book is overwhelming. For my whole cadet career I have been taught drill, discipline, and nationalism. I used to firmly believe these things will bring the cadet program strength as well as presence, being in the program gives me a sense of empowerment. However, in this book it’s clear to see how dictators use similar techniques to control and manipulate the mass. I starts to see how at times, the Air Cadets Program show close resemblance to a dictatorial
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However,after reading, I come to realize that sense of community and unification I have been feeling within the program is often at the expense of individuality and freedom of expression. I realize that no one should have been afraid to voice my discomfort and concerns. This book taught me that discipline and a uniformity do indeed motivates and inspires people, but empathy and awareness are also equally important vital skills. Only with these skill we will remember the purpose of the air cadet program, as outlined by our motto, “To learn, To Serve, To