Benutzereinstellungen

Neue Veranstaltungshinweise

North America / Mexico

Es wurden keine neuen Veranstaltungshinweise in der letzten Woche veröffentlicht

Kommende Veranstaltungen

North America / Mexico | Anti-fascism

Keine kommenden Veranstaltungen veröffentlicht

Book Review: Unflattering Photos of Fascists

category north america / mexico | anti-fascism | review author Thursday October 01, 2020 13:28author by LAMA - AWSM Report this post to the editors

Authoritarianism in Trump’s America

A review of a book about the extreme-Right in the contemporary USA.
unflattering.jpg

Christopher Ketcham (Editor), Jeff Schwilk (Photographer); Paul Street (Contributor): Shane Burley (Contributor); Tizz Bee (Contributor)

Publisher: AK Press
Format: Book
Binding: pb
Pages: 88
Released: September 1, 2020
ISBN-13: 9781849353953

2020 is more than half over and maybe the United States is too. Trump seems to be working on a smooth transition of power from himself to himself regardless of any upcoming election results. Below him, society is fracturing in ways his rhetoric has welcomed and encouraged from day one of his candidacy. There has been a complex mix of influences affecting and effecting this, but undoubtedly prominent among them are various Right-Wing organisations. They have mushroomed in the dark over a number of years but have in recent times fully come to light. Its timely then that Unflattering Photos of Fascists: Authoritarianism in Trump’s America has just been published. This short collection of essays and photos looks at the growth of the Ultra-Right under Trump and the interplay between them.

Though this book is certainly welcome, some criticism is required. The title is a bit misleading. Firstly, while fascism has always been a slippery term, there are some people depicted in the photos that perhaps don’t qualify for the label. The inside cover actually has a lengthy and well considered disclaimer to that effect. Perhaps it would have been better to be more selective in the choice of photos or to have changed the title of the book?

Secondly, a case can be made that with one or two exceptions, the pictures aren’t especially unflattering. You could argue that merely being in one of these pictures is an unflattering thing in itself. Certainly to anyone on the Left that’s axiomatic. However, if you want to make a better case in order to convince others, these photos might not do it. Yes, some of the subjects are wearing sub-cultural signifiers that appear silly or outlandish to us, but not necessarily to anyone else. They could easily just see a guy with a beard wearing a Trump T-shirt and sunglasses as, well, just that. Or youthful Trump supporters holding amateurishly rendered cartoons on homemade placards as just poor artists. The fact the cartoons once decoded demonstrate a commitment to a brutal ideology is chilling when contrasted with the fresh faced appearance of their makers. That’s not the same as saying the photo is unflattering. The amateurism of their rendering could be interpreted as endearingly ernest.

The photographer Jeff Schwilk writes “The photos included may depict the subjects looking ridiculous. It would be easy to dismiss them as fools harmlessly enacting a fantasy. But core white supremacists are as deadly serious today as they have been throughtout the county’s history. Future oppressors are often viewed as bumbling idiots. But if we are too complacent, hindsight may show us to be the fools, blind to the threat” (p. 47). These are excellent points and his stated intention was sound.There must have been photos that missed inclusion, that either through choice of subjects or composition could have unambiguously portrayed their subjects unflatteringly? There are some photos here that give food for thought in their juxtapositioning of content. Overall the photo section feels like Schwilks camera didn’t quite match his honourable intentions. A respectable, slightly missed opportunity in that regard.

Despite the title, this is not in fact solely a photo essay. It contains written contributions that definitely add to the tome’s worthiness. Schwilk writes movingly about his personal experiences tackling fascists from as early as the 90s’ and his own activism. Paul Street’s article looks at a taxonomy of fascism and how the phenomenon occupies a Venn diagram with Trumpism. He also usefully deconstructs the myth of Trump as a working-class hero. His article is written in a lively, no-holds-barred-style with some wonderful labels and turns of phrase (Trumpenproletariat, Donito Trumpolini, Great Tangerine God) that rightly find a balance between sound analysis and no respect for his subject. Shane Burley’s section charts the rise and fall of the hipster fascist Richard Spencer and delves into the (probably little known to those of us elsewhere) historical legalised racism that existed in Oregon. Tizz Bee also writes on Oregon with a specific focus on Portland. Bee’s most useful portions establish the nexus between fascists, cops and environmentally destructive businesses in that area. Lastly, there is also a visual glossary of fascist symbols that usefully explains some of the otherwise innocuous-seeming or obscure stuff worn by fascists.

On balance this book is a helpful explanation of what’s going on in the America Trump wants. One of the first steps in dealing with an opponent is to understand who they are and this book does that. Not for the purpose of reasoning with them though. As Street explains “The Trumpenvolk are impervious to rational persuasion. And this is the point: You don’t reason with fascists. You organise against them and defeat them” (p. 64). This is a message with universal applicability. That’s another reason this book is worth getting.

No Pasaran!

Verwandter Link: https://awsm.nz/?p=6978
This page can be viewed in
English Italiano Deutsch

North America / Mexico | Anti-fascism | en

Fri 19 Apr, 07:49

browse text browse image

0a8c0b1a8fbc67ae59a40fa3b24b0261.jpg imageCharlottesville: The world is divided... 06:21 Mon 04 Sep by Anarchist Federation (Greece) 0 comments

Those who wink their eye to anti-fascist fronts with the bourgeoisie, they better keep it shut. Centuries of social struggles and lousy betrayals have taught us. Our struggle is always against capitalism. These are the outposts of our camp. These are the outposts of the exploited society in the US, Europe, Greece, Middle East and all over the world.

heatherheyer.jpeg imageAfter today's murder in Charlottesville, we must all unite to defend ourselves and each other 08:09 Wed 16 Aug by General Defense Committee (GDC) 0 comments

We are horrified but not surprised at the rise of political violence and murder from the Alt Right and other fascist groups across the country. Today's murder was not an isolated incident, but is the latest in a string of violent attacks and murders from fascists. These include the shooting of an IWW/GDC member in Seattle, the stabbing double murder on the Portland MAX train, and the recent bombing of Dar Al Farooq mosque in Minnesota, among many others. [Français] [Ελληνικά] See also: [Black Rose Anarchist Federation's statement][Castellano] [Ελληνικά] [Français]

signal20170115221904_1.jpg imageBody Of YPG Volunteer Michael Israel Returns To U.S. To Be Laid To Rest 18:40 Thu 19 Jan by IGD 0 comments

This past week on January 11th, the body of Michael Israel, Sacramento organizer and late YPG volunteer, finally arrived in California from overseas. His journey back into the United States took over a month, and began in Syria with a ceremony and mourning procession to send him off. His California community has been awaiting his arrival, and organized a funeral procession of their own to welcome Michael home for the last time. Sacramento and Bay Area activists, individuals from the California Kurdish community, and Michael’s friends and family all came together to accompanied him from the San Francisco Airport to Lodi, his hometown. Over fifty people took part in the long-distance procession, traveling in around 20 cars, vans, and buses festooned with YPG and anti-fascist flags, flowers, and pictures of Michael.

brown04.jpg imageTerror in Ferguson 19:45 Wed 20 Aug by Denver Anarchist Black Cross 0 comments

Saturday August 9th, a racist Ferguson police officer profiled and fatally shot a black teenager, Michael Brown, as he walked to his grandmother’s residence with a friend. He was 18 years old. Multiple witnesses told KMOV that Brown was unarmed and had his hands up in the air when he was cut down. “The officer shot again and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air,” said witness Dorian Johnson. “He started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots.” The family and the community are calling his death an execution.

nsmrside.jpgddcmrs.jpg imageUnity Against Racism--Stop the Nazis in Riverside! 05:44 Wed 23 Sep by anarcentric 1 comments

The National Socialist Movement, better known as the Nazis, has announced a rally and march in Riverside, California. They are calling for a county-wide protest of day labor sites to try to appeal to those who are angry about the immigration situation in this country and to divide the native-born from our immigrant brothers and sisters.

textCall to action against Nazi concert in Boston Saturday 4/11 04:00 Tue 07 Apr by Juice 5 comments

THE SHOW MUST NOT GO ON!
NO NAZIS IN BOSTON!


This Saturday the racist white supremacist , neo nazi groups East Coast White Unity and Volksfront plan to try and gather fascist from far and wide for a concert at a VFW post in South Boston.

textThey Shall Not Pass! 08:48 Thu 25 Oct by rnf 1 comments

They Shall Not Pass!
Join others to Shut Down British Far-Right Politician’s Michigan Lecture

Nick Griffin, chairman of the fascist British National Party (BNP), will be speaking at Michigan State University Friday Oct. 26th at 7pm.

textReport back from Counter-Protest Against Anti-Immigrant Racists 05:14 Fri 30 Jun by crudo 0 comments

DAAA Collective report on countering Save Our State, a racist and xenophobic anti-immigrant group, as well as the associated white nationalists who showed up to support.

textAmerican Legion Declares War on Protestors -- Media Next? 00:20 Sat 27 Aug by Coyote 0 comments

By E&P Staff

Published: August 24, 2005 4:20 PM ET

NEW YORK The American Legion, which has 2.7 million members, has declared war on antiwar protestors, and the media could be next. Speaking at its national convention in Honolulu, the group's national commander called for an end to all “public protests” and “media events” against the war.

imageThe Trump putsch Jan 11 by Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group 0 comments

The following statement was released by the Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group on 10 January 2021.

imageIs the Republican Party Fascist? May 27 by Wayne Price 0 comments

Donald Trump is the culmination of how the Republican Party has been developing for years. Together they threaten to establish an authoritarian state in the service of big capital. They endanger the lives, health, and living standards of the working class and the rest of the population. But supporting the Democratic Party is not the solution.

imageWhy the Jews? May 07 by Wayne Price 3 comments

There has been an increase in anti-Jewish actions in the U.S. Why is this? Why have Jews been focused on by fascists and haters? There are traditional reasons for anti-semitism. The establishment of the state of Israel has created an interaction between anti-semitism and anti-Zionism. Where anti-semitism is irrational and reactionary, anti-Zionism is a just response to the oppression of Palestinian Arabs and Israel's alliance with U.S. imperialism.

imageTrump’s victory speaks to a crumbling liberal order Nov 10 by Jerome Roos 1 comments

Only a reinvigorated left and radical-democratic movements can clear away the ruins of the political establishment and defeat the proto-fascist right.

imageIs Trumpism Fascism? Oct 07 by Wayne Price 3 comments

Donald Trump and those who follow him have shown certain specific traits of a fascist movement. Does that make Trump or the Trumpets into fascists? What is fascism? How is it counterposed to bourgeois democracy? Is there likely to be a fascist movement in the U.S.A.? How do we fight fascism?

more >>

imageCharlottesville: The world is divided... Sep 04 0 comments

Those who wink their eye to anti-fascist fronts with the bourgeoisie, they better keep it shut. Centuries of social struggles and lousy betrayals have taught us. Our struggle is always against capitalism. These are the outposts of our camp. These are the outposts of the exploited society in the US, Europe, Greece, Middle East and all over the world.

imageAfter today's murder in Charlottesville, we must all unite to defend ourselves and each other Aug 16 Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) 0 comments

We are horrified but not surprised at the rise of political violence and murder from the Alt Right and other fascist groups across the country. Today's murder was not an isolated incident, but is the latest in a string of violent attacks and murders from fascists. These include the shooting of an IWW/GDC member in Seattle, the stabbing double murder on the Portland MAX train, and the recent bombing of Dar Al Farooq mosque in Minnesota, among many others. [Français] [Ελληνικά] See also: [Black Rose Anarchist Federation's statement][Castellano] [Ελληνικά] [Français]

imageUnity Against Racism--Stop the Nazis in Riverside! Sep 23 WSA (personal capacity) 1 comments

The National Socialist Movement, better known as the Nazis, has announced a rally and march in Riverside, California. They are calling for a county-wide protest of day labor sites to try to appeal to those who are angry about the immigration situation in this country and to divide the native-born from our immigrant brothers and sisters.

textCall to action against Nazi concert in Boston Saturday 4/11 Apr 07 North-East Anti Fascists / NEFAC 5 comments

THE SHOW MUST NOT GO ON!
NO NAZIS IN BOSTON!


This Saturday the racist white supremacist , neo nazi groups East Coast White Unity and Volksfront plan to try and gather fascist from far and wide for a concert at a VFW post in South Boston.

© 2005-2024 Anarkismo.net. Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere. Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by Anarkismo.net. [ Disclaimer | Privacy ]