Early Access: White Fascism
There was no getting around it. At some point in the series we needed to define fascism. I worry this is going to piss some people off, because you can't discuss fascism in the current political climate without pointing some fingers.
This will go public on Thursday morning. Not even a rough cut this time! This is the whole shebang.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pass out. <3
-I
Comments (10)
I think you'll be dinged by pedants on your claim that Irish and Italian Americans were not always considered white. It's one of those claims that is true from a certain point of view and a certain context "Who was denied access to white privilege?" and "Who was considered THEM by fascists?" can both be answered with "Italians/Irish/Jews" for various points in US history. But legally speaking? Technically? They could send their kids to an all-white school. Just something you might want to make a note of somewhere.
So good. Love it. Another gem.
Absolutely essential viewing, like always. Your work should be taught in school.
Sort of surprised you didn't mention Ur-Fascism at any point. Was that intentional? Is there some flaw in the essay in your opinion, or did you just not feel the need to quote it? This isn't an attack mind you I feel like your essay is extremely well-made and doesn't really *need* it. I'm just curious.
Umberto Eco's "Ur-Fascism" essay is essential reading, but it's less immediately accessible and relevant since he focuses on the Fascism he grew up with as a child in Italy. Eco also argues that it's impossible to coherently define Fascism because it was never a coherent ideology. I personally think Ian did a great job acknowledging Fascism's murkiness while pinning it down enough to diagnose its modern form. Here's a link to an Audible Anarchist reading of Eco's essay for anyone interested: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg0uTHY9OyQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg0uTHY9OyQ</a>
It says it’s currently unavailable? I’m in the UK. Has it been blocked?
I've got a copyright claim, but it's telling me it's still viewable. Are you still seeing it blocked?
Great work Ian! Meticulously argued point-by-point explanation of why Trumpism is for all intents and purposes a modern fascist movement. As the recent single frame reference correctly labeling Trump as fascist in JustWrite’s most recent video shows, the fascists wouldn’t be able to resist and will reveal themselves in the comment section. Is there any way we can help you moderate the upcoming shitshow?
I'm not comfortable appointing any moderators to the comment section. I'll just turn comments off if it gets too ugly.
I personally really appreciate this one, because I also grew up not really knowing 'what fascism was', particularly since I grew up in a right wing family where it wasn't even used as an insult. When it started to become a regular concern in the last few years I've done everything from look up the dictionary definition, to googling what is fascism, to watching youtube videos, and while I've learned a lot about nazis in that time this has been the best and clearest breakdown of it as an ideology I've found. Thanks.