It is times such as now, and the times of the foreseeable future, that are a radicalizing wave to those of us who not only feel overwhelmingly indignant over the state of our communities, our governing bodies which rule us, and some of the very individuals living next to us, but also to those of us feel the most petrifying horror and dread at what the coming years could hold. Let it be known, that while writing, panic and anxiety are the lone things now clouding and perverting the mind; and rightfully so. If some did not already agree with the view that the United States of America was and is definitively a fascist nation, then it should be bitterly clear and overwhelmingly certain as of now. With the re-election of Donald J. Trump as President of the U.S., the coming years are expected to be simply grim. Millions on top of millions of innocent people will be devastated, displaced, hurt, and even murdered - with the economy potentially in utter disaster, with thousands or millions of poor and working people’s lives devastated, thousands of queer people, children, and allies suffocated under the boot of reactionaries and the state, and with even the potential widespread suppression and crushing of leftist sentiment, the next few years are going to be grim and disturbing to the core.
As I stated, while writing, I feel nearly nothing but dread and terror at what is to come; truth be told, there is no way of knowing how severe and horrific this regime will be without experiencing it firsthand. Let it be clear that we are to take Trump and MAGA’s promises, rhetoric, and terrorism with the absolute most sincerity, as it is most likely that they will attempt to make their regressive, anti-humanist vision a reality, seemingly no matter the cost. But let it also be made clear that we, the leftists, the workers, the trade unionists, the socialists, the anarchists, the progressives, hell even a couple of liberals, are all imbued with definite bravery – it is true that to be brave is to act, despite being afraid. There is going to be a lot of terror, pain, injustice, and wrong done by the state, by the ruling classes, by everyday reactionaries, by the MAGA crowds and the Neo-Nazi militias, and with that there must also be terror and conflict thrown their way – this is our self-defense. It is wholly needed and urgent to always speak out when malice, injustice, and immiseration occurs; and these moments can often be used to teach others, to radicalize others to our cause. We must also not be hesitant or shy in our opposition – not even the thought of modesty or should be considered when pushing back against fascist rule.
Let us get to the significant point of this essay. We should openly recognize that it is foolishly cynical and deluded to believe that all hope is lost – even under fascism. This is not the end of history as we know it, nor the end of the United States as we know it. There will still be life and joy beaming from the deep cracks and crevices of our communities, we will still wake up every morning as usual, we will all still have each other to link arms with, we will still have our little moments of everyday joy, and we still have our closest loved ones to hold dear. My dear comrades and friends, hope is certainly alive and beaming as usual; let me be the first to say that when we find the bravery, strength, and the ability to link arms, a wonderful hope overwhelms me – and I wish that the same hope overwhelms all of you. It is times such as now wherein hope and solidarity is not crushed nor fades away, it is bolstered and shining, so let us rejoice in each other. Now, as tough and as agonizing it is to say, this is the time, now more than ever, to organize, to link arms, to have the most fervent solidarity with each other. We may lament and cry for a time, but that period should end somewhat quickly as there are mountains of work to be done, and such little time. I’d like to address those who I hold most dear individually and personally.
To my closest friends and loved ones.... We will survive, we must survive. We will see to it that we create lives for ourselves that are thriving, stable, and feasible – although the next couple years will leave scars across the country and affect millions of lives, including ours, they are of course not permanent. We protect each other, we fight for each other, we do what we can to provide for each other, and there is no doubt about this. We will see to it that we fight and survive.
To my fellow transgender sisters, brothers, and queer individuals.... We simply do not have, and have never had, the privilege of being apolitical, nor ignoring the political landscape - our very existence as people is ruthlessly and militantly under threat and is up for constant debate by the ruling classes and reactionaries. With the coming regime, the MAGA, conservative, and fascist/neo-nazi movements have embraced wholly the genocide of specifically transgender individuals. By criminalizing what they call ‘pornography’, which might as well simply be our mere existence in public life, by banning gender affirming care nationwide, by making our identities illegal and unrecognizable by law, it should be made clear that the goal is to eradicate transgender and queer people from all aspects of public life, and to even somehow prevent them from arising in society again. –But we will always exist, there will always be more of us, there will always be transgender, non-heterosexual, and gender non-conforming peoples; through the entirety of human history, we have existed, and to think that they can eradicate us is simply a stupid and outlandish delusion, and a pure exercise in futility. I ask that you do what you are able to fight and lock arms with your allies and fellow queers, however, I also ask you to do whatever you feel is needed and necessary to preserve your safety – whether it is stockpiling hormones or estrogen, legally obtaining at least one firearm, joining and finding local organizations, or if it is necessary for you to attempt to flee, your own safety and life is priority number one.
To the liberals, moderates, and moderate progressives.... We, the radical leftists, do not see eye to eye on very many things, but I hope that those of you who do read this can agree that fascism is abhorrent and inhumanly evil without exception; so let me ask – will you be a sympathizer or an opponent? It is urged with great severity that you attempt to aid in spreading virtues of equality, compassion, freedom, and autonomy, and do not simply hand-wave away any fears or inconveniences that come your way or enter your mind. You could be remembered as someone who pushed back against the regime, as well as advocated and materially supported the push back and fall of a fascist ruler. Now, I do not expect any liberal or average-joe democrat to convert to anarchism within a day, all that is asked is that you oppose Trump and the MAGA movement with every fiber of your being, just as we do; and remember that just like us, you’re on the chopping block too.
To my anarchist, socialist, and communist friends & comrades.... I already know that you all recognize that proper organization and solidarity is desperately needed, not just now, but decades ago. It is with utmost urgency that you sincerely devote yourself to acting, to committing to help organize, to put yourself in social situations which are incredibly uncomfortable, to openly teach and spread class consciousness, and to help those allies around you in any way you can. With the utmost caution and urgency, we must act to prefigure, build, join, and bolster structures and organizations which materially and feasibly further the prosperity and power of the poor and working classes. With that said, one ought not to overwork themselves or spread themselves too thin – please contribute in any and all manners you are feasibly able to. I, myself, am committing my efforts, time, and energy to the role of a propagandist and author, of course while also acting in what organizations I’m able to, as well as furthering dual-power where and how I’m able to. It must be remembered that we are revolutionaries, and such a commitment requires self-sacrifice and devotion; it is not about martyrdom or ‘being a hero’, it is putting yourself in situations that are uncomfortable or even risky in order to help, it is devoting oneself to the cause both in theory and practice. Now, as mentioned previously, if one simply feels as if their life or loved ones are in significant danger, then by all means do what is needed to secure yourself and others. Also, a quick reminder that those who cannot offer physical or in-person action are still urged to provide whatever material aid they can offer. Persons with disabilities still play a part, as does yours truly; I was born with a speech impediment, a stutter, and communication is rather difficult in everyday life, yet I find ways to materially support and spread the cause.
If we are to push back fascist rule and sentiment, it requires the utmost sternness, cooperation, and struggle – it is pivotal that we rapidly attempt to bring what Aric McBay calls a ‘culture of resistance’. A culture of resistance refers to the shared values, beliefs, practices, and behaviors that emerge within a group of people who are actively opposing or challenging an oppressive system or dominant power structure; it is a collective response to injustice – it is characterized with collective action, everyday struggle, cultural protection, and a shared identity. The movements of radical leftists, the LGBTQ+ Right Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the Indigenous Resistance Movements, these are all cultures of resistance, and we, especially on the left, have built a culture of defeat around us. It is urged that we rapidly recognize our flaws and shared struggle, and cooperate in solidarity, true and material solidarity, to build a culture of resistance, which further tightens our cooperation, organization, and our coalition & movement building.
-And finally, to address the Marxists.... Now, of all times, is not the time to play sectarian, now is not the time to squabble about ‘definitions’ and deep theory, and now is not the time to bicker with and turn away your libertarian comrades; in deep practice and theory, they are your allies, and whether you realize it or not, you are to be theirs. The ask is not that you convert to Libertarianism overnight, nor to convert to Anarchism, the ask is that you materially and personally aid in combating fascism – and the sincere and proper cooperation and coalition building between the libertarian socialists and the marxists will only aid us further. I urge that you reach out to them, and vice versa goes for the anarchists as well; link arms in solidarity this once to combat what is the most destructive, anti-worker, anti-humanist movement of our time. Help combat a shared enemy of both us, and the poor & working classes. I'd like to end with a quote that I find very inspiring and endearing – it is the declaration which closes the Communist Manifesto. We disdain to conceal our aims and openly declare that our ends can be attained only by the forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions. [...] We proletarians have nothing to lose but our chains.
If the message of this essay was not already clear, let us state it bluntly. Hope is an invaluable asset that we must embrace and cling to at all costs. We must always hope and yearn for a better world, without fail, we must always help and aid without fail, we must always love without fail. Our opposition is simply incomplete if it is fueled alone by fervent hatred and the bringing of terror toward the fascists. In the words of Errico Malatesta, “Hate does not produce love, and by hate one cannot remake the world”. Our rifles, history, shields, struggle, armoury, theory, molotovs, our comrades, and such are invaluable tools to the struggle in pushing back this horrific movement and regime, but our hope and love are just as much tools, and just as invaluable.
Let the fascists and ruling classes tremble at our radical hope, radical love, our revolution, and the power of the masses, let us lift our fists in solidarity, in rage, and in indignance to display our power, let us rejoice in a hope renaissance.
Comments