Over at Becky Tuch's Lit Mag News, a curious conversation is going on about whether it's permissible for a publisher to refuse to publish an author (or in this case, roll back a previous offer of publication) on the grounds that the author has had work published extensively in "fascist-adjacent" publications and appeared on far-right podcasts. I realized that most people have no idea what "fascist-adjacent" means, or why this question is actually an urgent one for all of us to consider right now, in 2023.
For decades I've cautioned friends on the left not to describe everyone on the right as fascist - like the boy who cried wolf. But now, for the first time in my lifetime we have a genuine, growing fascist threat. This is no joke and this is not a drill. I always wondered how the Germans could have just let it happen, and watching the early stages in our own country is like a nightmare -- the kind where you keep wanting to wake up but know you can't. Listening to people I know, who used to be decent (even if politically wrong in my view) justify banning books or killing unarmed protesters or ripping immigrant children from their families or supporting bombastic liars who defile even their own previous held values -- it's chilling, even terrifying. People who flirt with fascist ideas or publications should be denounced, not 'tolerated.'
“We will have the fight of our lives ensuring that fascists do not irrevocably change the system of governance in the United States.”
This is exactly what will happen if Trump wins again. I’m afraid that these indictments have occurred too late to keep him out of office. And it has galvanized his supporters. Let the fight of our lives begin!
You are correct. Each of us has a moral compass. It points to right and wrong. We know perfectly well what that consists of in our heart of hearts. When we set that aside for money, power and influence we have made a choice and will eventually have to be responsible for the consequences. I choose not to publish in fascist managed and owned publications.
For decades I've cautioned friends on the left not to describe everyone on the right as fascist - like the boy who cried wolf. But now, for the first time in my lifetime we have a genuine, growing fascist threat. This is no joke and this is not a drill. I always wondered how the Germans could have just let it happen, and watching the early stages in our own country is like a nightmare -- the kind where you keep wanting to wake up but know you can't. Listening to people I know, who used to be decent (even if politically wrong in my view) justify banning books or killing unarmed protesters or ripping immigrant children from their families or supporting bombastic liars who defile even their own previous held values -- it's chilling, even terrifying. People who flirt with fascist ideas or publications should be denounced, not 'tolerated.'
Such such a good article.
“We will have the fight of our lives ensuring that fascists do not irrevocably change the system of governance in the United States.”
This is exactly what will happen if Trump wins again. I’m afraid that these indictments have occurred too late to keep him out of office. And it has galvanized his supporters. Let the fight of our lives begin!
You are correct. Each of us has a moral compass. It points to right and wrong. We know perfectly well what that consists of in our heart of hearts. When we set that aside for money, power and influence we have made a choice and will eventually have to be responsible for the consequences. I choose not to publish in fascist managed and owned publications.