If paramilitary groups working toward a white nationalist state take out power stations, a lot of the things that you need to do will be similar to the post two weeks ago:
https://preparedspork.blogspot.com/2023/02/a-bit-more-on-weather.html
You may not have to worry as much about cold or impassable roads, but a lot of the elements are the same.
There are still some things worth noting.
First of all, will they always identify as white supremacists?
No. They may be focusing on misogyny, like the Proud Boys, or building their own Christian-fascist state, like Dominionists. Accelerationists just want to hasten the end of everything.
I focus on the white supremacy not only because I really hate racism, but because even when the racism is not their stated focus, it always seems to be lurking in the background. That is not a coincidence.
I read somewhere that once you start getting into conspiracy theories they all lead to anti-Semitism. That is largely because so many of the prevailing theories go back to blood libel and the Rothschilds and the other lies that have been told for decades. I think, though, that once you start going down that path, turning your back on truth and caring, it starts going downhill fast.
In terms of protecting yourself from this type of violence, yes, being more informed could help. I could write posts about how to do that, or how to evaluate news coverage and pay attention to the prevailing currents around you.
A more useful post might be how to avoid getting drawn into conspiracy theories and isolationist sectarianism and white supremacy. I could end up writing about all of those things.
What is more important to me now -- and it is heading in the direction of protecting you from giving into the conspiracy-driven hate -- is building community.
Last week I referenced Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America by Kathleen Belew, and currently I am reading Sisters In Hate: American Women on the Front Lines of White Nationalism by Seyward Darby. I am reading it largely because of things I read in Belew's book about the role that women played in building community.
Granted, that's a racist community, where there are tips about Nazi appropriate home school materials and creating disguises for the men to commit crimes, but it is also organizing potlucks and helping to fix up white men and white women so they can create more white babies and prevent the replacement of the white race.
Yes, potlucks can be used for evil.
If you have seen Higher Learning (1995), you may recall the character of Remy, an awkward freshman in college. Without the other students being really cruel to him, the first people that made him feel really accepted and valuable were the Skinheads. That started him down the path to his own death, as well as Deja's.
Of course, that is just a movie, but it is not uncommon to hear from people leaving these hate groups that they were disconnected and lonely and found acceptance there. Part of that acceptance becomes saying terrible things, because that will get you approval. Then it leads to doing terrible things.
We should do what we can to stop climate change, whether it's hopeless or not.
We should also be doing what we can to combat hate. We should be looking out for those who may have difficult family situations, and be patient with those who are socially awkward.
And we should not be repeating things that are racist or sexist, or smiling awkwardly when other people say them, or laughing at bigoted humor.
Will there be people who turn out to be horrible and you can't have much influence? Doubtless, but I believe that if we will keep our eyes and hearts out for those whom we can help, we will find them. The Spirit can help with that.
An excellent starting point may be working with others trying to do good. Who is looking out for the unhoused, or the elderly, or the students who are struggling in school.
We meet people outside of our regular circles, and we unite in a good cause.
Doesn't that sound like something we should be doing?
No comments:
Post a Comment