'Debating' Nazis Is Dangerous | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

'Debating' Nazis Is Dangerous

Just punch them in the face.

802
'Debating' Nazis Is Dangerous
Wikimedia Commons

Let me start with what I think should be an uncontroversial point of view. There is no negotiating with fascism. There is no debating it. It simply needs to be resisted by any means possible.

However, it seems liberals haven't gotten the memo on that yet. Apparently, men like Richard Spencer who literally believe in genocide of black people should still not be victims of violence because of "liberal norms" and "free speech."

What liberals are not getting is that defending a Nazi's right to "free speech" is playing right into their game. Nazis and all other groups of fascists always hide behind the right to free speech until they grab power. It's a strategy that's been used time and time again.

In 1928, when the Nazis entered the Reichstag for the first time, their future Minister of Propaganda proudly declared, "We do not come as friend nor even as neutrals. We come as enemies: As the wolf bursts into the flock, so we come." He continued to write that democracy was "stupid" for even allowing them to enter the Parliament.

Seven years later, when the Nazis had completely taken over the government, he wrote, "we have declared openly that we used democratic methods only in order to gain the power and that, after assuming the power, we would deny to our adversaries without any consideration the means which were granted to us in the times of opposition."

Back then, it was a mistake to even allow Nazis to participate in democracy when they explicitly stated their intentions. And right now, men like Richard Spencer and Milo Yiannopoulos have also made their intentions very clear. We need to believe them.

Liberals often like to argue that even though Nazis are despicable, we should debate them to prove how awful they are. Sadly, liberals' debate skills will not defeat fascism. In fact, it only further legitimizes it by making Nazism seem like a legitimate opposing viewpoint rather than the destructive force it truly is.

Plus, debating Nazis fuels the central myth of fascism. Fascism functions by creating mythical "ubermensch" who almost manage to transcend humanity. This is often based around the white male body.

But the alt-right has created a new version of this myth. Sociologist Katherine Cross has discussed the rise of the "Trollermensch," which involves creating a "trolling" ethos that disregards empathy and compassion as weakness. Cross argues that this ethos is very appealing to young white men who feel powerless due to a changing world in which their relative power is decreasing. It is an ethos that men like Spencer and Yiannopoulos have used to recruit for the alt-right, often to great effect.

Debating with Nazis often helps reproduce this image. Alt-right trolls see their heroes as debating with "triggered snowflakes" and "cucks" who are too PC to handle the harsh truth of the world. The way to get around this is to not play their game at all.

When Richard Spencer was punched in the face at the Inauguration, as Cross points out, the facade was immediately broken. Spencer became completely terrified after being punched, even telling his followers that he now felt uncomfortable going out in public without bodyguards.

SEE ALSO:29 Questions I Have For The Protester Who Punched Neo Nazi Richard Spencer

This was no member of some "master race." This was a pathetic human being who was too scared to face the consequences of his rhetoric.

So to be clear, I will not be making space for Nazis to share their viewpoints. I will, however, do everything I can to make sure they are ostracized from every level of society.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

184026
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

10516
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454767
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24649
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments