What is fascism and how can we fight it?
For years, far-right politicians and agitators in the United States have adopted more and more fascist tendencies. We saw this on January 6, 2021, when thousands of people stormed the US Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the election. The supporters waved Christian nationalist and white supremacist flags, and believed that violence was a legitimate way to restore their version of the nation. Now, just weeks into the new administration’s control of the White House, we’re seeing this fascism take hold in new and dangerous ways.
What is fascism exactly? You’ve likely heard this term used a lot recently.
Fascism is a counter-revolutionary force that seeks to prevent what it perceives as change. It is predicated on a belief in a natural social hierarchy and often seeks a return to a romanticized vision of a nation based on racial or cultural purity. “Enemy within” rhetoric is also a key tenet of facism to criminalize movements fighting for liberation and justice
We can see fascism manifest today in a broad range of contexts. We see it in the increasing militarization of police forces, and in cop cities where officers are trained to use technology as a weapon against ordinary people. We see this in the current rejection of DEI. We see it in the criminalization of migrants, student movements, and those who speak out for Palestinian liberation. We see it in the tech industry’s growing monopoly of media and commerce. We see it in attacks on reproductive rights and on our transgender and gender non-confirming relatives. We see it in the movement of far-right militia groups who use extrajudicial violence and cosplay as ICE agents to terrorize undocumented communities. We see it in the administration’s sweeping use of executive orders to block or delay federal funding that should be controlled by Congress. We see it in attacks on Indigenous Sovereignty.
It’s important for us to understand what fascism is in order to identify it where it lives and respond to it. Fascists count on two things: overwhelming us and our compliance. They want to tire us and exercise power over us, but we do not need to obey in advance.
So how do we respond?
Do not give an inch. Compliance empowers fascists, so refusing to go back to “business as usual” and normalizing their policies resists the fundamental basis of what facism relies on to flourish. Fascism counts on and exploits our indoctrination of being “polite” and “civil.”
Protect each other and take care of the vulnerable around you. Create your own systems of defense and accountability within your community.
Beware of platforming fascists. Fascists are social chameleons and opportunists, and they take advantage of whatever means to power they can. They’ll often pre-emptively adopt what they see as popular social norms and use crises as opportunities to expand and court those they see as susceptible. Beware of fascists weaponizing pro-Indigenous or pro-environmental language to serve their own ends and power-seeking. For example, David Duke, former grand wizard of the KKK, recently quote-Tweeted Marc Lamont Hill criticising Israel. In doing so, Duke also used an anti-Semitic dog whistle. It’s important to think critically about who’s writing or distributing information before you share it with others.
Study history. This isn’t the first fascist government in history, and it likely won’t be the last. While history doesn’t repeat itself 1:1, there are clear patterns. Know where we came from so we can see where we might be headed. We can learn from what worked and what didn’t work. .
Uplift alternative media and platforms to spread information outside of state-owned and state-controlled platforms. Don’t use X, formerly known as Twitter.
Remember that courage is contagious. Other people feel compelled to speak up against fascism if they see others do the same. No one is coming to save us - we’re in this together.
Get in where you fit in. The fight is where you stand and your tools are already in hand. Our strengths are in our diversity of gifts, talents, skills, and experiences. One way to fight back is not going to be the solution for all so find what works for you and your environment. Find people already doing good work, build relationships, support, and plug in.