What or who is ANTIFA?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Antifa as1:
1: a person or group actively opposing fascism
2: an anti-fascist
To add to the above definition. Antifa is:
…an anti-fascist action and left-wing political movement in the United States comprising an array of autonomous groups that aim to achieve their objectives through the use of both nonviolent and violent direct action rather than through policy reform.
So, ANTIFA is defined as a person or group of people who are opposed to fascism and are not afraid to use violence (which is what is getting highlighted in the news) or non-violence to get their point across.
This leads to the next question, what is fascism? Again, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fascism as3:
1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control
Put another way fascism is:
…a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition and strong regimentation of society and of the economy which came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe.4
So, fascism is a form of authoritarian government that focuses on promoting nationalism above individual freedoms and is willing to use violence to destroy those who oppose them.
Have there been any fascist leaders throughout history? The answer is yes. The following are just a few:
While the two main examples of fascism in history involve Mussolini and Hitler, there were many other fascist leaders between 1922 and 1945 when this government structure was most popular.
· 1925-1943: Italy's National Fascist Party led by Benito Mussolini made Italy a fascist state.
· 1933-1945: Adolf Hitler's National Socialist German Workers' Party, or the Nazi Party, ruled Germany under his leadership for 12 years.
· 1932-1934: After being named Chancellor of Austria in 1932, Engelbert Dollfuss had no intention of ending the democracy until he was convinced fascism was necessary for the future of the country.
· 1932-1968: António de Oliveira Salazar joined The National Union in Portugal and ruled for nearly four decades.
· 1935-1945: In Belgium, the Rexist Party had success in winning many parliament seats under the leadership of Léon Degrelle.
· 1937-1938: The French Cross of Fire (Croix-de-Feu) was the biggest and fastest- growing right wing party in France in the late 1930s.
· 1941-1944: Prime Minister Hideki Tojo in Japan rose through military ranks and ultimately became famous as the leader who gave the order for the Pearl Harbor attack in the U.S.5
I know this is not an exhaustive list. However, it does paint a picture of leaders who believe in fascism. Plus, we have a modern-day example of how far a fascist leader will go to stay in power and expand their power, Adolf Hitler.
Again, ANTIFA is an individual or group of people who opposes, either through violent or non-violent methods, ultra-nationalistic governments/ideologies who want control individual freedoms.
I am not sure where I am going with all of this. All I know is that it brings up some questions for me. Questions like:
~ Are there fascist tendences in the United States today? ~ If you are anti-ANTIFA does this mean that you are pro-fascism?
~ Shouldn’t we all be against fascism and fascist tendencies in our country?
~ How has fascism been defeated in the past?
~ Why are they considered radical left-wing?
~ What is wrong with the use of violence in the battle against fascism? The most popular person I know who fought fascism is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. As far as I know he was part of a group plotting to assassinate Hitler. Could it be said that he condoned the use of violence? Would Bonhoeffer be considered ANTIFA?
~ Would we consider every individual and country who fought to defeat Hitler ANTIFA?
~ Was Martin King Jr. Antifa? It seems to me that he opposed and fought against fascist ideologies (racism) non-violently and Antifa does use non-violent methods.
~ Is racism a fascist ideology?
~ Is white supremacy a form of fascism?
~ Why are white supremacists considered a far-right wing ideology?
~ Can someone be a Christian and be ANTIFA?
~ Can someone be a Christian and be for fascism?
~ Does it seems like ANTIFA is used to scare people and that we should be afraid of them?
~ How would you combat fascism and fascist ideologies in the United States?
~ What questions does this bring up in you?
It seems to me that ANTIFA is not an organized group like many of the militia groups we hear about lately. Antifa has no leader or organizational structure. Maybe that is why it is so feared? It cannot be controlled or manipulated. It is just simply against Fascism and fascist ideologies that show up in culture.
When did being against Fascism and fascist ideologies become bad?
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifa_(United_States)
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