The politics of white fear

A tiny inconsequential thought wandered into my mind the other day while leisurely perusing George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” Why do Americans tremble at the mere whisper of democratic socialism like it’s some boogeyman under the bed, yet practically sprint into the open arms of authoritarian fascism like it’s a long-lost love?

So naturally, I did what any sane person would do: I reached into my pocket, pulled out my phone and took to the vast, uncharted territories of the internet and googled what those big, scary words mean.

According to Google, you know, the thing that knows everything, yet still manages to misinform sometimes:

Democratic Socialism:

Democratic socialism is a political ideology that combines a commitment to political democracy with a vision of a socialist economy. It emphasizes social ownership of the means of production, economic democracy, and social justice while maintaining a commitment to democratic processes and institutions.

Authoritarian Fascism:

Authoritarian Fascism is a political ideology and form of government characterized by extreme nationalism, one-party rule, suppression of opposition and a strong, centralized state. It combines the characteristics of both authoritarianism and fascism, with a dictator or small ruling elite holding absolute power and using state control to enforce their ideology.

Then, like a light switch was turned on in my head, I had a clear thought:

America has always been a moderate to mildly fascist democracy.

We as Black people understand that this country’s foundation is denial and racism. That racism essentially serves as the white American identity card; all stemming from their fear of equality. Apparently, in their minds, equality is the boogeyman, threatening to steal away their precious sense of self. Equality is the American horror story for those who’ve prided themselves on standing on other people’s necks. In their mind, “If they get what I have, what does that make me?” This fear literally blinds them from accepting factual evidence showing that white females, benefit more from that equality than any other groups of people or that white males benefit from equality as they hold positions that were rewarded for fulfilling equality incentives.

It seems they fear democratic socialism because adopting that ideology would just be catastrophic to them. The mere thought of everyone owning equal shares in the production method would just shatter their precious understanding that capitalism is the gold standard. Economic democracy? Please, that’s just a fancy term for redistributing wealth in a way that doesn’t let them leapfrog over others on the sweat of their brows. And social justice? That’s code for stripping them of the ability to clutch their cherished prejudices like the foundational pillars of their entire existence and identity. What a nightmare for them.

Before American chattel slavery and the Jim Crow era, racism was just in its amateur phase. It took the United States to show the world how to do racism with flamboyant flair and capitalistic efficiency. And let’s not forget, the U.S. became such masters at it that Nazi Germany, South Africa and yes, even Israel took notes. Because nothing says ‘We’re the land of the free’ quite like inspiring apartheid and genocide with some good old-fashioned, patriotic Christian nationalism. White Americans established separate but equal policies that were definitely separate, however anything but equal, and other nations followed suit. Bravo, America, for setting that gold standard in systemic racism.

Black Americans have always been incredibly inclusive, even with our most separatist ideologies we have never been nor wanted the subjugation of another race to achieve our goals. We have always been about making it happen without the assistance of anyone but the community we come from.

I think white Americans just can’t resist the allure of authoritarian fascism because, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to play dress-up as a strong man unafraid of anything? It’s like the ultimate costume party where the elite get to strut around, proclaiming themselves the pinnacle of white American identity. This whole charade gives their supporters the precious gift of believing they’re inherently superior by association, simply because they were born white.

It’s as if the universe took a long, hard look at them and decided, ‘yes, my radiant child of the glowing whiteness, because of your zip code and skin color, you shall wield the iron fist of white privilege over others while simultaneously denying it exists.’

And let’s not kid ourselves — nothing screams ‘freedom and democracy’ louder than stifling dissent, legally or otherwise, while gerrymandering districts like Picasso drunkenly painting while on an absinthe bender, ensuring that only your cronies get the power to make the rules.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, they manage to convince everyone it’s all for their own good. The sheer brilliance of selling a dream of freedom, liberty and justice while pickpocketing the dumb in broad daylight is a true marvel. It makes you really wonder, when they sang about the ‘land of the free’, who exactly feels “free-er”? But hey, as long as the grand spectacle of freedom, democracy and independence wrapped in a neat little bow of patriotic Christian nationalism continues, the masses will happily dance along, blissfully distracted by the illusion of choice, while the party rages for the privileged few.

This headlong dive into fascism is like watching someone frantically cling to a sinking bass fishing boat, convinced it’s a luxury yacht. It’s a last-gasp attempt to uphold a system so steeped in injustice and oppression, it’s practically a parody of itself. And the kicker? It doesn’t even have any real benefit to the very people hustling to keep it afloat. Just the validation of their white identity.

I’m crossing fingers and toes, hoping the facade of this circus authoritarian regime and the clown car of cronies has cracked enough that even the most willfully blind followers can’t ignore the avalanche raining down on their parade. Here’s to hoping the stink finally becomes too much to bear, even for them.