The End of Free Speech

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

You can not have anti-semitism without semitism. In the same manner, you can not have anti-fascism without fascism. There is an important distinction and connection in this dichotomy. The distinction is the idea that we are speaking of Ideology and its inter-generational construct — how myth and belief evolve through time. Connection in that Fascism is rooted in the history, DNA, and the very idea of anti-semitism — there is evidence of causation. For the past three years (perhaps even ten years), Fascist and other hate-based ideological groups have found acceptance of their beliefs within mainstream political discourse and this is shaping our culture. Beginning with the Charlottesville’s march of far-right protestors that saw the death of an innocent protestor, American cities and public have seen a surge in rallies and marches for groups that hold anti-Semitic and racist views because of both the political and media organizations that assist with facilitating these messages under the guise of free speech.

Media outlets like Infowars, Breitbart, The Blaze, Red State, Drudge Report, and the Daily Caller regularly feature (depending on the audience) politically incorrect and/or racist, homophobic, xenophobic, sexist, nationalist and ultimately, Fascist content. These outlets are then watered down and repeated through more moderate/main stream media sources such as Fox News, Town Hall, the New York Post, Real Clear Politics, even the Hill and the Washington Examiner. Ultimately, we have an ideological conservative network of communication that begins with the White House and makes its way to our social media accounts and mobile phones. This further accentuated through legal and illegal means of the Russian government through state owned media outlets like RT and Sputnik News; and, shadow-bots and troll armies that proliferate supporting messages. All of this fed by social media and search engine algorithms that feed users content that only confirm their beliefs and opinions.

As a student of Punk Rock, I grew up with the controversial slogan “Punch a Nazi in the face.” I will admit, the phrase has a certain appeal because like punches, words hurt. The phrase also highlights a time when ideas that we now consider “far-right” were not accepted within mainstream American politics and political discourse (see: David Duke). Fascism, the philosophical belief that emphasizes the social and cultural emulation of a dictator that preaches an authoritarian ideology, relies on words that hurt. A central tenant is to ensure that all political opposition is destroyed — one party. Another tenant is the removal of liberal democracy, like voting, for a totalitarian ruler — a king. In many of the current fascist around the world, we see a consistent pattern in how they rise to power: blaming migrants and immigrants bring violence and crime; calling for the old ways when women and LGBTQ were neither seen nor heard; asserting that state and government have no obligation to help its citizens and all government spending is for military and the economy, to name a few.

Perhaps, this is the greatest contribution of Senator Bernard Sanders to the American Political structure and establishment — his role as a soothsayer, a speaker of truth. His political alignment as a Democratic Socialist is the foundation of 40 years of executive and legislative action that have sought to decrease and minimize the power of corporations — and, increase the power of working communities and disadvantaged communities around the country. We can look at his past two Presidential campaigns to see his emphasis on regulating and dismantling the power of Wall Street on our economy, our elections, our health care, and our education. Furthermore, this stands in direct contrast to ideas of the far-right and Fascism because Democratic Socialism is a political system that seeks equity among its citizens. It seeks to regulate the current socialist system that supports corporations, for a more equitable socialist system that supports both the workers and corporations in the same manner.