What Is Fascism? No, Really What Is It?!

We need to talk about words, and how we use them. For instance: If I say Mussolini, a word comes immediately to your mind, unless you’ve been living in a cave your whole life; You are excused. Fascism. It’s an ugly, derisive word that is in the list of many descriptions that get extensively over used in modern culture. The list is exhausting: from parents to politicians, lady-friends to landlords, no one seems to be exempt from one of the most improperly used term that indicates a Despot.

The strict definition of the word Fascism is, in fact: “A Governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, and emphasizing a national aggressivism and often racism”. Interesting. Herein lies the rub; at what point do we start taking this word seriously? There are all sorts of caveats that go with this definition, as is with most words that dance upon the razor’s edge of hate and intolerance. In modern society, a stranger is more likely to accuse you of Fascism than say they love you, and there is an inherent flaw in the idea of that. I know that I seem to implore the notion, but things seem to be creeping more and more into another Orwellian fever dream that ceases to stop. Nazis are beating people in the streets; nuclear war is a common water cooler discussion today. What are we to do, swim in an apathetic sea of semantic relativity? We are a jaded society, polished smooth by the ever increasing speed of information, interest and vice. What measures, on a personal, national or outright human level do we start to say that Fascism is not acceptable? That question in itself is enough to give you the shakes.

I’m Afraid. I’ve got to explain to you why I’m afraid. I don’t fear death. I don’t fear any repercussions this world can offer me. What I do truly fear, is living out this entire given existence and not having the courage to say “This is not right” when I witness atrocious acts occurring all around me. I have a daughter to hold myself accountable. I owe her a better life… a better America. We all have something precious we hold dear and innocent. It truly is what makes us humans, and not savage animals. No one wants a worse tomorrow for them, no matter when. Am I delirious for believing in a society where ideas are not politically mandated upon each other? It seems almost taboo to talk about. The belief of a Utopian society... What does that entail? America is the land of the free, the home of the brave… life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Who gives us the right to dictate the dreams, hopes and desires of others? Certainly not me, nor anyone I call friend. My Grandfather was a Cop in Layeffette in 1967. He walked Black people home from church and the grocery store with his pistol glistening in the sun. He meant business, and so do I. I don’t advocate violence, I abhor it actually, but at what point do we stand up and say we’ve had enough? We are a suppressed society, fitting every horrific characteristic of the pure definition of Fascism, but our President is totally acceptable, Twitter this and hey, look at that and…whew. I need a breath.

I’ll wrap it up by adamantly and obstinately requesting this: let’s just stop throwing the word Fascist around. STOP IT. It makes your argument weak, and it takes away from the dreadful seriousness that is true Fascism here in America. We need to start viewing our situation a little more closely. I haven’t had the definition of a word such as Fascism give me such a startle in quite some time. Wake up people, once it’s at your front door it’s too late.

JJ Electric out