My friend, colleague and former producer (from The Global African) David Tigabu has written an excellent essay examining the method of attack employed by the Trump administration against the people. The Trump method is part of what i have frequently referenced as the effort by the “united Right front” to overturn the 20th century. That is, an effort to eliminate all that is left of the victories that were won in the 20th century to increase the rights and living standards of the majority of this country.
David takes a look at the way that the Right seeks to divide the population between the supposedly deserving and the undeserving segments. This is not new. It is a central piece of the playbook of the political Right and can be seen in the oratory of former President Reagan, as well as having been a central theme of the Nazis.
David’s essay, in focusing upon this, reminds us that we live in a dangerous moment where not only will segments of the population be played off against one another–including old vs young; white vs. people of color; men vs women–but that there will be a tendency of some people to think that the attacks coming down will never affect them. In other words, that they will somehow be protected.
Take a look at Tigabu’s essay. You won’t regret it.
Hi, Bill. I think I was just saying the same thing on Facebook this morning. There is no term a dislike more than “alt-right.” What does that mean? Alternative right? Altered right? If Americans weren’t so damned ignorant they’d understand a play on the German, “alt” (old), so this could indeed be construed: old-fashioned (Nazi) right. But jokes aside, we are being assaulted by fascists starting with the orange toxin
and going right down to his base, the American brownshirts who among other things just rioted in Virginia. This is what is meant by: “Those who don’t remember history are doomed to repeat it.” Big time.
And it is so important that we both not panic but also not minimize the reality of these neofascist currents.