One of the perverse facts in our society is that it is, apparently, worse to call out a racist than it is to be a racist.
Similarly, it is worse to call out a fascist than it is to be a fascist.
The lesson on how to manage this issue was provided by the amazing black rights campaigner, James Baldwin. This is from an interview he gave on the Dick Cavett show in the 1960s:
The most famous quotation to come out of this was Baldwin saying “I can't believe what you say, because I see what you do.”
The argument Baldwin made was so powerful because the citation of its source of authority was implicit within it. The actions of the person about whom the comment is made provides the evidence to validate the observation.
So, instead of calling out the fascist these could be said:
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see you promote the cult of an infallible leader.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see that you treat migrants as enemies to be removed.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see that you're attacking women's rights.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see that you are seeking to control what universities and schools can teach.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see you promote the role of Christian religion within the state.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see you have a disdain for the rule of law.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see you are opposed to human rights.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see that you're opposed to free speech and the right to protest.
I don't know if you're a fascist, but I see that you're biased towards the interests of those with wealth.
I don't know if you're a fascist but I see you're dedicated to creating narratives about the enemy within.
I don't know if you're a fascist but I can see you promoting false narratives.
Thoughts?
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You are right – its a duck.
Excellent.
Thank you.
1st rate.
Something for the archive
Excellent post.
One thing I have never understood is how anjry fascists and racists become if they are called fascists or racists.
I can only assume they are angry because they know that being a fascist or a racist is not a Good Thing. If someone called me something that I believe is derogatory I would do my utmost to ensure that I am not that ‘thing’, rather than turn on those who have correctly identified me.
Brilliant, and practical, I can think of a few I might apply, to challenge their drift into fascism,
By exposing visible action, it questions invisible identification.
Thanks
I would add ‘I don’t know if you are a Fascist but I see you glorify war and the exalt the military.
Excellent post. I agree with Mike Parr.
That is a good one.
Very powerful. Thank you.
Very good. To call someone a fascist can be dismissed as name calling, to describe their behaviour hits home.
It is like the advice to parents. Don’t call your child “naughty” tell them when their actions are wrong. They can learn to change their actions, but they don’t know how to change who they are.
Thanks