A number of years ago I caught a PBS documentary on String Theory. The fundamental idea behind the theory is that subatomic particles are somehow connected through vibrating strings. More developed in the late 20th Century, the early work began through figures like Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Max Planck, Leo Szilard, and other notable physicists. Their calculations advanced Quantum Physics, nuclear fission, and other theoretical science.

But this essay isn’t about String Theory, Quantum Physics, Einstein, fission, or science.

This piece attempts to explain why Hitler lost the Second World War. After 1932 and consolidation of his power, the Fuhrer implemented his “Final Solution,” the annihilation of European Jews. Jewish Germans lost citizenship, were forced to wear identifying yellow stars, were ousted from government jobs and eliminated from professional positions. Construction began on work and death camps. 

It’s a tragic history most of us have learned. 

However, this isn’t a piece about the Holocaust either, though many accomplished people perished in the “Blood Lands” of Central and Eastern European camps. 

For those who could, many Jewish refugees sought sanctuary in Great Britain and in America.

And this brain drain from Germany led directly to the defeat the Third Reich. Those notables named above were some of the thousands who escaped to America and contributed to the Allied victory. In particular Leo Szilard pursued the science of fission that soon came before the eyes of President Roosevelt leading to the Manhattan Project.

The other night Michiganders selected Abdul El-Sayed as their Democratic candidate for the US Senate. For Trump and his White Nationalist base this development presents their worst nightmare; a Muslim-American who is accomplished, well spoken, decent and smart. America witnessed this before in 2008 when Barack Obama was elected President and enjoyed two prosperous administrations. El-Sayed and Zohran Mamdani, the new mayor of New York City, are among the enormously talented public figures composing a new class of young idealistic Americans committing themselves to public service.

These individuals and many more are America’s future.

The myth of white superiority has landed flat in this second Trump Administration. From the top down is a constant litany of incompetence. Much like 1930’s Germany, lackluster white men who couldn’t organize a two-car parade pretend they know what they’re doing and their supporters pretend too. But RFK Jr., Vance, Hegseth, and too many others share only one trait, blind loyalty to Trump and offer nothing more..

So racial mud slinging from the Right substitutes for meaningful GOP policy discussions. On social media this government of dullards cry Communist, Socialist, Terrorist, or Radicals just hoping something sticks to their propaganda wall. 

Trump is especially affronted by principled, talented people, men and women of color and white progressives for that matter. As he stated recently, “smart people don’t like me.”  

With his grift on display, a pointless war, and tawdry accounts of rape and pedophilia, Trump, aware of his low approval ratings, is attempting to sabotage the midterms. 

Don’t be distracted by the GOP’s servitude to Trump and their campaign of identity politics and fear mongering. We still are the country that landed astronauts on the moon, eradicated polio, and split the atom. America again needs to not only embrace the Einsteins and Szilards, but today’s El-Sayed’s and Mamdani’s and all of our sons and daughters.  

Fascist racial purity nonsense like in 1930’s Germany is a proven loser. Censorship, book banning, attacking universities deprives America of real talent. Bigotry is a self-inflicted, unnecessary impediment that only erodes the vibrating strings that bind us together.

Gail Chumbley is the author of the two-part memoir “River of January,” and “River of January: Figure Eight,” co-writer of the screenplay, “Dancing On Air” based on those books. She has penned three stage plays on history topics, “Clay” on the life of Senator Henry Clay, “Wolf By The Ears” examining the beginnings of American slavery, and “Peer Review” where 47 is confronted by specters of four past presidents.