“ In 1931 Fascism forced university professors (who were 1,200 at the time) to swear their loyalty to the regime. Only 12 of them (1%) refused and they lost their jobs. Some say they were 14, but this only goes to prove how the phenomenon went unnoticed at the time, leaving behind only vague recollections. Many others, who were to become prominent anti-Fascist figures during the post-war period, took the oath (Palmiro Togliatti and Benedetto Croce even went so far as to suggest they do so) in order to continue to spread their teachings. Perhaps the remaining 1,188 professors were right, for different reasons and all of which were honourable. But those 12 men who said “no” saved the honour of the universities and, in conclusion, the honour of the country itself. So that’s why it’s worthwhile to say “no” at times even though, on the down side, it’s a well-known fact that it’s useless. At least one day they might say that someone did say “no”.
