What is a fascist?
A fascist is someone who believes that their nation (country, race, ideological grouping) used to be great but that it was somehow undermined and humiliated by outsiders (frequently gays, trans, gypsies or other minorities) particularly those who are immigrants. These outsiders are seen as enemies of the nation and the fascists’ goal and belief is that one day they will purge the nation of these outsiders and their nation will rise again.
A fascist is someone who identifies with a political ideology that is ultra nationalistic and/or supports autocratic policies which promote power being concentrated with a single person or small cabal without credible oversight. They aim to maintain state control of society and the economy while forcibly and unfairly suppressing dissent or opposition.
A fascist is someone who uses the language of victimhood to justify aggression, claiming they are simultaneously superior to their enemies and constantly under attack by those same enemies. This allows them to position themselves as both dominant and oppressed.
A fascist is someone who either promotes false information, or suppresses or restricts the collection and dissemination of accurate information, for political purpose.
A fascist is someone who believes that certain groups of people are inherently more valuable or deserving than others based on characteristics like race, nationality or ethnicity, and that society should be organized around this hierarchy (with themselves at or near the top).
Typical Characteristics of Fascists
Fascism stems from ignorance and/or simple mindedness. Fascist supporters don’t like complex and can’t handle complex narratives. They default to single cause fallacies. Fascists need easy to understand heroes and villains. The thing that fascists fear most are ostracism from their identified groups and ridicule.
How Can we Fight Fascism
Speak up against hate speech and authoritarianism.Don’t let fascist rhetoric become normalized in your workplace, family, or social circles.
Refuse to vote for politicians who habitually lie or spread false narratives.Whether they can’t distinguish truth from falsehood or simply don’t care about honesty, leaders who reject factual reality will inevitably undermine democratic institutions and do much more harm than good.
Vote in every election, especially local ones.Fascists often build power from the ground up through school boards, city councils, and state legislatures before moving to higher offices.
Defend schools and libraries from fascist attacks.Fascists target education because informed citizens threaten their power, so attend school board meetings, support teachers and librarians, and push back against attempts to defund or politicize educational institutions.
Resist efforts to silence dissent and ban books.When fascists try to remove books, restrict free speech, or punish political opposition, citizens must organize to protect these freedoms through legal challenges, public pressure, and showing up to support targeted individuals and institutions.
Stay educated about history and current events.Understanding how fascist movements have operated in the past helps you recognize warning signs and respond effectively to current threats.
Support independent journalism and fact-based media.A free press is essential for democracy, so subscribe to quality news sources and help others develop media literacy skills.
