The threat of rising right-winged fascism is more prevalent than ever right now here in the USA, Eastern Poland, a good portion of Russia, and other countries. It’s not only a threat to democracy, it’s a global threat. Since history does tend to repeat itself, we must review history so the world does not repeat the same mistakes again, particularly those of Nazi Germany. Reviewing the history of the Holocaust is a great place to start. In one of my previous Patheos pieces, I wrote about this prevalent and rising threat which modern-day anti-fascist Germany and the German Catholic Church are taking more seriously than most due to their history with the Holocaust. I write about this, not to totally focus on doom and gloom, but because I want to stand on the civil rights side of history, not oppressors.
Let’s take a look at a few current events right here in the USA, strictly in regards to the humanity of LGBTQIA+ people although I will mention other marginalized groups. Target, an American store who has always supported LGBTQIA+ rights, recently removed some of their Jewish and LGBTQIA+ merchandise. Why? Some say that anti-Sematic and anti-LGBTQ+ groups are holding Target hostage due to the current political climate which we can read about here. https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/25/business/target-lgbtq-merchandise-pressure-trans/index.html
In states with large numbers of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills increasing, the very lives of Queer people are at-stake. Let’s look at Texas, Ohio, and Florida although these aren’t the only United States with lethal threats. In March 2-2023, Texas Republicans filed dozens of anti-LGBTQ+ bills which the Texas Tribune speaks of in this article. https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/06/texas-legislature-lgbtq-bills/
According to a local Columbus, Ohio news station, they have recently issued record-breaking anti-LGBTQIA+ bills which are potentially lethal. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/ohio-bills-among-record-breaking-number-of-anti-lgbtq-legislation-proposed-nationwide/
Florida is particularly dangerous due to the large size, the Governor, Ron DeSantis, and the dangerous political climate there. Let’s watch a video from a young LGBTQ+ person who is having to flee Florida with her partner because she fears for her life and understands that history could easily repeat itself, especially due to her partner’s Jewish heritage.
@dy0czm8581ex
Both the Vatican and China have recently issued warnings about the current increasing threat of fascism. In this first article, the Holy See warns against Holocaust denial and revisionism trends. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-01/holocaust-remembrance-day-osce-holy-see-permanent-observer.html
And then in this article, China issues an piece about the rising threat of global fascism. https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3135177/stop-global-rise-fascism-save-not-just-democracy-all-humanity
According to CNN and other major news sources, Anti-Sematic threats at the highest rate in the USA since the 1970’s. Joe Biden constructed a plan to address this threat with nn=ot great success. https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/25/politics/biden-antisemitism-strategy/index.html
According to Encyclopedia Britannica and The Washington Monthly, I close with these primary traits of fascism once again. I believe we are now fully inside the outer rim of a full-blown fascist state and moving closer to a variation of the Holocaust, and/or World War III.
1. sources and capitalizes on economic woes and anxieties
2. shifts political blame on to scapegoat groups like minority groups, the Democrats,
immigrants, and other groups while taking away blame from where it belongs, on the leadership
3. propagates extreme nationalism going hand-in-hand with racism and militarism
4. a melding of church and state when there should be a separation
5. subjugation of women and sexism
6. a disdain for human rights except those of the elite, especially a disdain for those who identify as LGBTQIA+
7. obsession with crime and punishment
8. identification of enemies as a unifying cause for political action
9. disdain for intellectualism, science, history, and the arts
10. control of different types of media, including books
11. rampant cronyism and government corruption
12. attempt to control elections, like through voter suppression
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