this post was submitted on 12 Dec 2025
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"As revolutionaries, we don't have the right to say that we're tired of explaining. We must never stop explaining. We also know that when the people understand, they cannot but follow us. In any case, we, the people, have no enemies when it comes to peoples. Our only enemies are the imperialist regimes and organizations." Thomas Sankara, 1985
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A core conviction of fascists is, that someone else should have to suffer for their situation to get better. And they consciously choose the objectively evil, though easy way to make that happen: inflict the suffering on vulnerable people. This is easier then targeting powerful people and actually works shorterm, so no point arguing against it. German fascists for example benefitted immensely from forced labor and stealing belongings of their victims.
You can only try to convince them about mid and long-term effects (contradictions in capitalism aren't solved, crisis will happen, fascism constantly needs new victims and becomes a death cult which ultimately destroys itself every time).
But it's not just about rational arguments. To overcome their racism and bigotry, they need to reconnect with their ability to feel empathy for people they see as "others". The problem is, that they deliberately and selectively killed it off and that's not easy to reverse.
Without empathy, they could eventually agree with your arguments, but still just not care that much. Like: "Okay, maybe Israel is doing genocide in Gaza, sounds kind of bad, but... eh, whatever." That's literally the collective reaction of western civilization.
One thing, that's sure to ignite empathy and to slowly erode racism is personal friendship with someone from the group they hate. But it's dangerous, takes forever and it's probably impossible for most people.
Any other idea how to do it? Actual praxis in common struggle somehow? If it's former friends or family, there might be emotional common ground to build on.
As a mass tactic, maybe a campaign that centers solidarity and empathy in propaganda. And maybe mixed with measured violence, because some people need to feel their victims fight back to realize that they're human too.