I decided to take Twitter out for a spin in August. I was unimpressed.
I tried to get into substantive debates with people - mostly on the Left - about things like antifas and the 2016 election. It did not go well.
Anyway, here are two really good takes on why it's probably not a great idea to be punching Nazis, even if it feels good.
Josh Marshall gives a solid historical take.
German Lopez looks at the poli-sci take.
Anti-fascist violence simply doesn't work as a tactic as well as non-violence (Lopez) and if you are using Germany in 1933 as a counterargument, you're not reading history well (Marshall).
I would add from my Twitter debates that it does seem that those who embrace violence seem to desire a glorified place for themselves as the True Defenders of the Just Cause. They are better than you for punching Nazis, because you "just don't get it." In fact, they want to be Indiana Jones, when they are only fighting cos-play Nazis. It's all an ego charade on both sides, with neither side thinking of social progress. There. I "both sides-ed" it.
Yes, it is noble to fight against intolerance. No, using violence to fight against intolerance is not the right choice. Wearing a black mask and beating up a doughy Klansman who lives in his mom's basement does not make you Indiana Jones.
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