A truly gut-wrenching piece and you have a piercing voice in this that is clearly heard. I do wonder about the mentality, if it starts as an individual perceiving others and the world differently (distorted) and what role propaganda plays. How do we respond and does studying their self-portrait give us any understanding? It's hard to even fathom when, as you have said, the cycle repeats itself. And history still remains blood-stained as our present times. It goes against our knowledge and instinct of self-preservation and promoting a culture of life.

One thing: should "the back hats" read "the black hats"?