So much unthinkable tragedy and discord in America had just occurred before the Kennedy Space Center launched American astronauts into orbit in May of this year. The sadness of those events did overshadow the progress our country was making with the space race. At that point, I remember President Trump hadn’t made an official address to America yet after George Floyd’s Death, and so awkward as it may have been to address the racism in the country, I also felt it was necessary, and was glad he didn’t skirt around it at the rocket launch. At least he didn’t ignore the tragedies and just focus on the rocket, right? I remember him declaring during his speech that ANTIFA would be labeled as a terrorist organization. Because of all of the violence that had been occurring, I agreed with him that this should be done and I felt very grateful. As time has gone on, I would like to alter the expression of my stance a little bit on this and provide clarification specifically in regards to problematic issues surrounding smeared definitions between organizations and movements, and to identify some examples of widespread propaganda.
A few problems connecting ANTIFA, BLM, and rhetoric:
ANTIFA sounds like an abbreviation or a code used for texting that no one knows.
How many people on the street ACTUALLY know that Antifa is an ideology that stands for Anti-fascist? How many know there is a history connected the groupings of various Antifa individuals, going as far back as the days of those organizing to oppose Hilter?
For those who KNOW it means anti-fascist, who are also law-abiding citizens, how many of them are allowed to now refer to themselves as such without turning a regular conversation into one with tension?
The issue with rhetoric was probably exposed to me best when I chose to attend a family-friendly, and socially-distanced local awareness protest put on by my friend to rally as allies in a grassroots participation of the black lives matter sentiment (I do agree with the concept of the statement that “All Lives Matter”, and I understand that “Blue Lives Matter”, but because all lives matter, that is why black lives matter, to me; under the current events of that month in America it was timely and important to me to express my support specifically for black lives in America). It was a hard day logistically for our family, but my husband was willing to not just come with me, but to make it happen in the mix of our chaos if I felt strongly enough that we needed to go, which I did. But when I said we should put “BLM” on our van, he became extremely uncomfortable (while I come from a patriarchal-led background and remain active within the religion, my husband and I approach our relationship together as a team) and we went away from the kids for a moment to have a heart-to-heart, although quick discussion about this. Therein he expressed:
Black Lives Matter, the organization, has some extreme individuals saying and doing very bad things. Their actions, comments, and threats are very concerning.
We can love black people but we cannot associate ourselves with BLM--the organization--or promote the organization itself which is well-known for going by “BLM”.
BLM the organization promotes terrorist ideology with their actions.
We still went to the rally. But I was stunned, and didn't actually know what to say or how to say it anymore, and so I asked my husband to please be the one who explained to the children why we were still going. My husband was the man I know he is in his core. He did in fact give our kids a very heart-felt expression and thorough explanation of what it means TO NOT BE RACIST. He did a BETTER JOB sharing this essential message for them to understand than I would have done, even if I had done it prior to my conflicted state after our discussion before leaving. We drove up and down the road honking in support of our socially distanced friends. We cheered out the windows for them. My son Miles yelled out the car, “We love you black people!” The expressions on the faces of the people of color at the rally in response to our familial support to them as allies filled my heart. We made happy memories, unified as a family, in support of people we care about, and it was fun.
But we did not put BLM on our car.
No one else at the event knew that, but I knew it. I also knew that BLM was an abbreviated acronym that most people would understand, which is interestingly sort of a different angle than the ambiguous nature of the ANTIFA abbreviation.
But even so, I was essentially able to speak freely within my home and family environment, but I was not able to speak freely in my community at large - not in the way I wanted to with the sign on my car (the expression of my “personal voice” on that sign would have reached more individuals with my support of the movement that day while we were in traffic). I made the choice WITH my husband, and I do not resent him or this decision for that moment in time - it was a compromise that has caused growth for all of us. He needed to be true to himself to be able to participate and I respect that. Not to mention if I had been a better planner in the days leading up to the event, I would have been ready with a different sign anyway. The painter’s tape idea was a last-ditch effort during our time-crunch.
I need to point out that the way my husband feels is NOT an isolated thing to just him. I know MANY people who feel this way. The REASONING for specifically saying that “Black Lives Matter” is silenced from them by choice in public settings and they specifically do not use that slogan because they have learned that “BLM” (the organization) has individuals who are acting like a terrorist organization to incite violence. Except “they” had NO TIES WHATSOEVER to the local institution of this rally I attended. “They” (the bad guys) were not involved with our beliefs on black lives matter whatsoever, and ours was a non-violent, specifically family-friendly, expression of support to people of color.
While I can VERY CLEARLY understand the difference between people who act like terrorists and people who use their freedom of speech, and yet this “silencing” of my own voice is STILL happening to me, then it makes me wonder how many other people there are who are afraid to say that they are anti-racist?
Furthermore, how many people are afraid to speak up specifically for the marginalization of the black population that has continued in systemically nuanced ways BECAUSE the identification of the “BLM terrorist organization” is now something that has been allowed to smear the meaning of the movement?
How many of those people feel that they can express their anti-racism freely or even in a simple way? Even to people they are close to? And how many people who would have had the energy to enact real changes for America regarding systemic change for POC now have their time wasted by being caught up in “not talking” about it and focusing on being careful about what they say instead?
This same kind of emotional fear, silencing, and diversion is happening to people who would otherwise like to openly speak up about being anti-fascist now that “Antifa” is labeled a terrorist organization even though the FBI says it’s technically an ideology. The effects on normal individuals are very subtle - they may not even know it’s happening to them, and the people perpetuating it may not even realize what they’re doing.
Who were the TERRORISTS after 9/11?
This month marked 19 years since 9/11, and I have recently been remembering what it was like back in those days when the general level of suspicion towards Muslims increased across America. No one really talks about this openly, but it seemed to me that after 9/11 many people felt that all Muslims were suspect terrorists, or that all Muslims might somehow be connected to a terrorism ideology that could manifest at anytime.
Years down the road I met one of the best friends I could ask for, who happens to be Muslim, and she explained that it was after 9/11 that she began wearing her hijab more intentionally in public and that her family was worried for her. I have so much respect for her example to follow her beliefs and to use her freedom of religious expression. Being Muslim in the Western world, and especially in a post 9/11 America is likely difficult at times, but she embraced the courage to be herself and to express her human right to follow her religion. I have perceived that her lifestyle has helped her on her own path to lead a meaningful life as she seeks spiritual transcendence and to live in peace with the world and also embrace the diversity of the community around her with her genuine love. Interestingly enough, being a Latter-Day-Saint (formerly labeled “Mormon” woman), I found that despite our theological differences, we have had a lot in common to share between our religious journeys; I have learnt a lot from her, gaining deep strength from her friendship and insights.
Back to our government - America has not been perfect in handling a post 9/11 world, but I have noticed that there has been a purposeful distinction by our government (and then by extention the media’s reporting on the government’s influence) to clearly educate the masses by their expressions that there is a difference between Islam and terrorists who profess to be Islamic. In so doing the government and the media have contributed to letting Muslims be. I hope most Muslim people have been able to continue living their normal lives and enjoying their human rights and freedom in America. I appreciate that the government, media, and by extension the sentiments of the general public at large when they have regular conversations will include the distinctions and understanding that it is “Al-Qaida” and “ISIS” (and other extremist groups) that are the terrorists.
With no intent to minimize the difficulties of perceptions that American Muslims may have experienced post 9/11, I would still like to ask: Can you imagine what would have happened to innocent people (like my friend, or the Muslim population in America at large) if our government had chosen NOT to make the distinction between all of the Islamic people vs. those being fought as a terrorist group?
Quick Talk About Violence:
Martin Luther King Jr was a hero. Especially in 2020, most everyone desires causes and movements to be promoted with non-violence and with words just like he did.
Paradoxically, many of those same people I have heard criticize the use of violence will often also say that they would be willing to use violence when they feel it is justified - usually to protect themselves while defending their own angle of a cause, or if they were threatened.
I recently read in “Dixie Be Damned” that 1960’s newspapers gave extra press to non-violent protests to make it seem that the overarching and widespread struggle with racism was pervasively a non-violent experience, or perhaps to encourage peaceful behavior instead. Interestingly enough, non-violence was not the norm. There were situations where police sent dogs to attack black kids at a protest of school-children, and where people drove around in cars with signs saying it was their “open season to hunt” black people.
Forget skin color for a second: If the police were to sick a dog on your child at a peaceful protest, or if you saw murderers going around your streets with signs like that, would you remain non-violent against those kinds of sickos? Would you trust that kind of person if they did that to you and YOUR KID? Would you remain non-violent after the moment? What about in the moment?
And then what is the kind of story that would be shared in the news - would your story even be told? Would it be told accurately? Would there be a spin on it? Even if the news reported with accuracy and non-bias, and with all information accounted for - what would that story look like in gossip circles of assumption?
Martin Luther King Jr was revered, but I wonder: did he just happen to come at the right time and place after so much violence had occurred? Both unnecessary violence and necessary violence arguably occured in those times and maybe people were tired enough to listen to Martin Luther King because they needed the war to stop. Thank God Martin Luther King Jr came and America listened. But also, I wonder, why didn’t they listen before the violence started and only after they were tired?
As a parent I make chore requests of my kids and sometimes they don’t want to listen (especially if it’s an extra chore) - a lot of this comes because of unfair expectations that come with a large family, some of it is my own ADHD with following through. When I realize I have asked kindly and patiently sometimes 3 or 5 and even up to 10 times, then my impatience shows through - “DO THIS NOW, I HAVE ASKED YOU SO MANY TIMES NICELY, WHY DO YOU WAIT UNTIL I SAY IT IN A MEAN WAY?” Ask my oldest - he’s probably heard this vented frustration over the years more than the rest.
But really - why?
Why will we allow marginalization and ostracization to occur and occur and occur, until extreme things happen?
Is it because it’s a chore?
A chore to care?
A chore to listen?
As a general and large group of American people we wait to ACTUALLY LISTEN to others. This is what parents want from their children. But we are grown adults with the cognitive ability to apply this kind of behavior we so desperately desire to teach to children.
So why don’t we ACTUALLY TRY to empathize with adults who speak of their experiences in oppression? Why do we wait until it’s way too late, and until we have sacrificed the day-to-day lives of so many?
By leaving people oppressed in a trap of systemic hell and helplessness for generations on end and then refusing to listen when they kindly use calm and patient words, but to then reject their words and refusing to embrace change until they are literally so traumatized that they won’t take it anymore….
That makes me wonder even further:
Who are we, and what do we even believe in as Americans if we’re going to be that kind of people?
Modern and Arguably Fascist Propaganda - Including an example from Rawanda
In the Spokesman-Review, Jeff Reyburn from Spokane, whom I assume to be Conservative, said it best: ”Without the right of free speech, without fear or harm, we have fascism.”
Since Antifa and BLM have been labeled terrorist organizations, there has suddenly been division caused within many safe circles. The words Antifa and BLM create a moral conflict that can create friends and family to be suspicious when you question it:
“There isn’t anyone who is pro-fascist! We’re all-anti fascist.” But how often in the same breath will those same passionate individuals ALSO say “Antifa and Black Lives Matter are NOT OKAY.” So what’s happening is a great divide - the people who conversationally speak up, who are not even showing up to protests on the corner - people who do not wield weapons, and do not use violence, are being gas-lighted with disdain in their inner circles against using the words that literally define how they feel and where they stand - these people are not allowed to use those words anymore.
These are psychological tools of manipulation actually - to be silenced by your unsuspecting and yet participatory family and friends simply for promoting an issue of propaganda. Usually neither party even realizes the extent with which they’re participating in a negative and harmful emotional cycle caused by words. If we live in America, and America has free speech protected by law, then why is our government purposely doing this to the “causes” and “movements” perpetuated by grass roots regular people like you and me? Why is our government declaring the TITLES of these movements to be terrorist organizations? Isn’t capping someone’s free-speech and using psychological manipulation in the tool-bag of the Fascist?
Isn’t this a Fascist tone perpetuated by an authoritarian movement that likes to make the little people do their dirty work for them? Little people like Moms and Dads, and brothers and sisters, and community members, and co-workers, and friends? “Little people '' controlled as citizens by their government, but who grow up together, go to church, and to school together. Little people who can turn on each other in an instant because they believe in their government so much.
They’ll trust their leaders so much that they will listen to propaganda and promote the psychological war with words. People can and DO get drafted into a war without wanting to be in one or even understanding what they’re doing. This happened in the Rawandan Holocaust. I recently read “Machete Season”, and “Finding God Amid the Rawandan Holocaust”. School friends and neighbors who had parties, special events, and close circles of support ended up turning on each other, and some picked up machetes to hunt and slaughter the people they loved. It didn’t start with Machetes. It started with propaganda and words. The government perpetuated those words, and then there came a point that they didn’t have to even listen to the radio anymore, because the people in the cities and the suburbs and the rural areas all had the rhetoric memorized. The words were taken to heart in the most unfeeling of ways. Regular people and even children became the soldiers. No draft needed.
Finally, I’d just like to conclude my article with this expression:
I am Antifa. I am Black Lives Matter.
If you have read my article to the end you understand what I mean by this. I appreciate and adhere to non-violence. I am also claiming my freedom of speech.
I believe, however, that it is pervasive propaganda and propaganda alone that has caused the need for me to take 3,333 words to explain my position on this topic. Perhaps the propaganda is even legitimately spun by real-life fascists in order to put a stop to the ordinary individuals like you and me who would otherwise speak-out about being anti-fascist, or who would otherwise openly speak in their families and communities of their support of something as simply expressed as “black lives” mattering. Perhaps this propaganda is perpetuated by elected government individuals who are fully aware of the divide that their words are causing. Maybe some of those leaders are not even close to aware - perhaps by hearing from their constituents they will shift the tide and change the rhetoric that so quickly affects the masses. Maybe they can and will do this, like they tried to do to recognize the humanity in the individuals who practice Islam. Mostly, and so very unfortunately however, the propaganda is spread quickly, easily, and pervasively by well-intentioned kind-hearted and loving people in large numbers who would give the shirt off their backs to you if they saw you face to face and you were in a bind.
That is why the responsibility to change the trends of racism and fascism relies on “We the People”. We are the ones who either do or do not behave fascistly. We are the ones who are moved by propaganda to “do the dirty work”, but we don’t have to. We have our own voices.
It starts with you and me.
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