The Warning Shots of Fascism

 

As we bask in the glow of the surprising repudiation of all the hate and evil that the GOP brought to the midterm elections, it is important to note that the election held on November 8th is merely battle #2 in what most assuredly will be an ongoing war with white supremacist fascism as it tries to crush American democracy.

Anti-women laws and legislation aimed at stripping body autonomy are on the books in far too many states. Health care providers and women in need, in many states, risk lengthy jail terms when they seek out lifesaving medical procedures. And yes, even in the case of rape or incest or other violent acts. The misogyny of the right is staggering. 

Voter suppression, aimed primarily at the African-American community, continues to grow. A South Carolina school board, filled with newly-elected right-wing group members, has immediately removed their first Black superintendent, the district’s Black lawyer, banned “critical race theory,” and set up new committee to ban books.  Berkeley County, SC.

Harassment and legal opposition to LQBTQ+ individuals and families continues to grab headlines. In Tennessee, the GOP has introduced legislation to outlaw drag-queen bingo, and anything else drag related. Guess they better outlaw old Flip Wilson skits, half of Monty Python, and movies like Some Like It Hot.

In a gut-wrenching act, just a few days ago, a man entered an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Spring and opened fire. He murdered five and injured at least 25 others. He was subdued by several of the bar patrons. In other words, two unarmed gay dudes took down an armed gunman in a few minutes, while meanwhile in Uvalde, a whole host of madly armed police couldn’t take down the Uvalde school shooter in two hours. It’s also rumored that the shooter’s grandfather is a MAGA ex-Cali state assemblyman who left the GOP because it was too liberal.

Anti-Semitism is raging world-wide to levels not seen in 70 or more years. Over the week-end, two men were arrested in NYC, one wearing a Nazi armband, after they threatened to take out a local synagogue. Pro-tip: anytime you see “Soros,” just know that it’s anti-Semitic as all Hell.

Mosque attacks, and anti-Islamic acts in general, are on the rise. Laws banning the wearing of hijab during sports are being bandied about as yet another way to suppress freedom of religion.

As the Covid epidemic raged, we watched as the government of TFG fanned the flames of hate against Asian-Americans.

The Supreme Court, bought and paid for by the previous administration’s dark money, cannot be counted upon to ensure the rights of marginalized people.

The groups behind such acts as the January 6^th treasonous uprising will not go quietly. We will see acts of terrorism and militaristic threats against people, organizations, and government at all levels. The man who attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer was a fervent supporter of those actions. That some in the GOP tried to paint the attack as a gay lover’s quarrel; that the act was staged to drum up support for his husband, House Speaker Nancy - such heinous nonsense should surprise no one.

We should all take a few weeks to enjoy the survival of democracy in America. Yet, we also need to realize this is just the start of a long and ugly period in America. Fascism creeps in; it slowly normalizes tiny, little horrible behaviors. A terrorist act cracks the shell wide open. If we don’t use all our strength to slam the clamshell closed fully, fascism will use that little bit of light to force its way back out. And again, if we leave it a little ajar in the next battle, before we realize it, our country will be run by people who idolize the governments that ran Russia under Stalin, Italy under Mussolini, Romania under Ceaușescu, and Iran under the Ayatollah.

If you remain silent, you are complicit. If you choose not to take up sides, you have taken a side.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” 

Be like Dr. King. Be on the right side of history.