https://theapeiron.co.uk/there-is-no-philosophy-of-fascism-there-can-only-be-a-psychology-of-fascism-587e6915a410

Do we have to be part of antifa to be Anti-Fascist? I don’t like their flag because it gives ptsd flashbacks of slipknot music. Can we start another Anti-Fascist movement with a better flag and is independent from the old Anti-Fascist movement? I decided I don’t want to wear a mask either, is that ok too?

Do what you like. How ever you wish to protest fascism is your prerogative. It's not like we are a membership with a dress code. Some people just get together and *do* dress alike so they can look after each other.
Movements are not controlled by any leadership. There may be people who try to bring leadership to it, but you can't control an ideology. There can be groups of people who follow another within the movement.
I am AntiFa. Saying you want to start another AntiFa movement is like saying you want to start another Conservative/Liberal movement. Sure, you can say you're different, but you're still AntiFa.

Proud Boys (I love that they chose the word boys, means I don't have to put it in to mock them.) are an actual membership. They have a pledge that they recite, hazing rituals, rules of conduct, have hierarchy which mimic how terrorist cells work (to a degree), and so on and so forth.

I dunno, I just want to send a message to the public that people who protest against fascism are not out to hurt anyone and are accepting other people’s opinions. I can oppose those opinions but I’m not gonna go out of my way to hurt people that expresses them. Um, not saying you do or that every Antifa member are out to hurt right wingers but there are a few antifa members who do, ya know. Maybe they’re not the norm and those few are just bad eggs but those same bad eggs reflect poorly on the current movement. You see what I’m saying here?

Didn’t know about the Black Bloc, but thank you sharing :)

I just realized you’re right about the Proud Boys being like a terrorist cell and AntiFa being an ideology that anyone against fascism can follow how they want. I feel dumb now :(

Don't. There's been a lot of villifying PR against ANTIFA from the Trump admin. ANTIFA really only shows up when either A) Proud Boys or other fascist movements come to protest something or B) when government is practicing fascism.

As a whole, I don't see them seeking fights. What is true that (may be outdated) Proud Boys, to get into the final ranks you literally had to punch someone from ANTIFA.

Didn’t know that. Would it be possible to protest and not block traffic on major highways and interstates, I see videos where accidental fatalities can happen because some protesters feel the need to stand in the road and end up with a Darwin Award. I’m not trying to be funny, I’m just saying we could prevent people from being stupid, right? Maybe tell them to keep to the sidewalk or maybe get a permit to protest on a less busy street.

Living close to Portland, there were plenty of signs for detours. Not only were many of the protests legitimate with permits, but those who tried to run these people over weren't trying to get anywhere. They were trying to disperse protesters with force. Or, fascism. Notice, that those they engaged were mostly protesters not engaging in violence.

Proud Boys are cowards, they never fought back against a protest that escalated.

Further, much of the violence was spurred by white supremacists and police officers. There have been plenty of indictments to reflect this.

No I get it now, this is my fault for only getting one side of the story to this. Sorry.

In case I wasn't clear, you're permitted to make use of the street if you have a permit in the state of Oregon.

In one legit protest, protesters shut down Burnside Bridge (one of the busiest streets in Portland as it goes through PDX proper, PDX East, and Gresham all the way past I-205N; the bridge is a major thoroughfare) then, to show solidarity for the cause, they all layed down on the bridge in the middle of summer.

In another legitimate protest,

Portland's Mayor was pepper sprayed because he was part of a peaceful protest. What'd they do? Simply hold their hands up chanting "Hands up, please don't shoot me." Of course, these were the goons that Trump sent in that had no name badge, kept their faces covered, and used unmarked vans.

I’m learning so much when I knew so little before. Thanks for educating me btw, Cerebro.

The amount of trepidation I have is... extreme - you understand. Anyone willing to see things from another perspective is more than rare these days.

Can I ask what inspired you to entertain the idea to listen?

Thanks for the having the patience in talking to me, too.

Just by example you can see how not listening to the other side doesn’t work, ya know

Some may say that I do not listen to their views. That's partially true. There are individuals of the politics stream I just don't listen to. This is in part due to a couple compounding biases that I just can't break or bypass. I've exposed myself there, explained my background, related to them, conceded on some arguments but still, I receive no concessions back. That was in 2020.

Most of the stuff they say is a very naunced alternate reality that is still "true" and "factual" but the interpretations are different. There are some misonceptions that hang heavily with their party that encourage us not to listen for a multitude of reasons.
Such as,, being labeled as baby-killers, anti-American (pre 1/6th), etc. etc. I have made attempts to reconnect since, but found out there's a new argument by the right wing called "Okay Groomer." A dismissive, I don't want to answer you, or acknowledge your logic kind of statement.

Following that, there's the red-herring "Maybe they're corrupt, but all government is corrupt." and all flavorings of that to cast hopelessness or apathy onto the party trying to hold suspects to justice. Note, that I said that carefully as all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Then once I call them on that, they move the goalposts, or try to change what the discussion is about completely. "But her emails!" "But Biden's laptop!" "Biden is demented." Knowing how if Biden or Clinton or Obama did what Trump and his party is suspected of doing, they'd be out for blood. But then again, that's what 1/6 was I guess. But still... how can they deny what's in front of their faces? 60 differeint hearings from Trump appointed judges (some of them) multiple checks and balances and he kept ignoring them until someone said "yes." but no one did.

I just don't get it. I can't reason with these people. I can express sympathy for being conned, but most don't want to see the con.

I think I get most of my willingness to listen to other people from my mom and unwillingness to take a side from my dad.

We still good, bro?

Cerebro? 😰

You realizing something is the opposite of what makes someone dumb.

"We still good, bro?"
Absolutely. I had wanted to convey my background surrounding the skepticism so that you might not take it personally. Welcome to the stream if I haven't yet said it. Let your words and actions speak on your behalf.

Thanks for the welcome, and can do. 😊

Upvoted for "ptsd flashbacks of slipknot music."

Thank you? I’m sorry I never liked their music :(