Throughout my years of writing for news publications and my own blog, I have frequently attacked white supremacists and all bigotry. The greatest danger to our fellow humans is ignorance. Those who choose to be ignorant, and join these fascist organizations have no place in my America. Hatred based on color of skin, religion, sex, or sexual orientation is unacceptable.
However, the group that calls itself ‘Antifa’ is not the answer.
This anti-fascist group has its origins in post WWI Germany. As Hitler began to gain power, left wing groups attacked meetings attended by Nazis. A new version, which is now ‘Antifa,’ has been active in Europe since the early 1970’s. With Trump defiling the White House, a branch of this left wing extremist group is springing up across America. Their cause is just, but their tactics are not to be tolerated.
Violence against other humans is never a solution to any problem, and is ignorant. They are lowering themselves to the same immoral standards of fascist white supremacists.
Ignorance creates fear; fear all too often results in anger; anger is the breeding ground for hatred; hatred is such a strong emotion that it brings with it violence; violence creates more anger and hatred, and a vicious circle is formed.
If you were not born by the latter part of the 1950’s, you were not a “flower child.” Young men and women began gathering in the mid-1960’s to peacefully protest the Vietnam War. Slogans were chanted including “make love not war,” “one, two, three, four, what the hell are we fighting for.” Not all, but the majority of ‘flower children’ were between the ages of 17 and 30. What they all shared was a firm commitment to non-violence.
There were extremist ‘fringe groups’ who vandalized government buildings and took violent action against those they believed were responsible for the war, but they were the exception.
The same is true today. Fascism can only be defeated if the majority refuses to accept it. Violence will never defeat evil. Only by cherishing and supporting the principles and ideals professed by or founding fathers; only by insuring that every word of the Constitution is cherished and applies to all Americans, will democracy flourish, and the darkness of fascism be defeated.
We, the majority, are feeling greater pressure today than at any other time in my 71 years as a patriot. With a new leader sitting in the Oval Office, extreme right wing groups feel empowered. Once hidden in the shadows, they are now marching in our streets chanting their own slogans, but these slogans promote hatred and violence.
The Antifa are wrong. They cannot halt the growth of fascism. They will encourage others to join these hate groups. The result produced by violence will offer the same results incurred by Donald Trump as he denounces all Muslims; he has become ISIS’ primary recruiter.
When hate-filled men chant their neo-Nazi slogans the wisest action to take is nothing. If no one attends their marches, their purpose is defeated. They want their hate-speech heard and those who are offended choose violent reactions. If those lining the streets want to make a statement, they should stand quietly with their backs facing these despicable individuals. Shouting back or physically threatening them allows their goals to be achieved.
There is never a reason for violence; it solves nothing and someone is always harmed.
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Op-ed by James Turnage
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