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The thing with saying that we've let fascism return is that we never really defeated it. Until we reckon with our own history of fascism, we can't. And so it will continue to "pop up" again and again even though it's been there the whole time.

It's past time America, and indeed the world, recognized the foundation of modernity on slavery, genocide, racism, theft, and bigotry. The world is as it is today because of those things. Fascism is a symptom of a greater societal problem.

They say those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it, but I think it's more accurate to say that those who don't reckon with history are doomed to continue it. That's all this is: a continuation of the historical path which continues to lead to fascism and violence, oppression and bigotry. You can know that and still continue in that path. Learning history isn't enough, because I guarantee you that a lot of fascists know their history and like what they see.

You have to make a decision. Are you going to continue in the arc your ancestors set you on, or are you going to recognize that they were flawed and we can do better. Maybe that recognition is painful. You might recognize things about yourself you don't like.

And maybe the arc is comfortable. Maybe it privileges you now. Without the foundation your ancestors built, maybe you wouldn't be in such a good position. It's natural to see that and turn away, to think that you're losing something.

But if you want to build a better world, you've got to get out of the rut. And this is one of those problems like climate change where individual responsibility is necessary but woefully insufficient. It requires fundamental change to society. In fact, the fight against climate change is part of this broader fight.

So yes, we have to fight fascism now. We have to because if we don't, we won't survive to make that better world. But don't mistake mitigating a symptom for curing the disease. Right now we're trying to keep the patient from dying on our watch, but even if we succeed, the disease will still be there.

So I guess I'm asking you to remember that. Society is sick. It will not survive. We have to decide whether that means we all die, or whether it means we change.

Change is scary. I don't ask you to like it. And this change will be painful. It will require a lot of us to give up things we took for granted. You may not live to see better days. That's hard to take.

But if you can't do it for future generations, if you can't do it for your neighbor, your loved ones, your friends, you fellow humans, then I'm asking you to do it out of spite. Because I'll be damned if I'm going to let those bastards win. I'm not going to let the Trumps and Elon Musks and whiny incels and 4chan dipshits and liberal-tear-drinking proud deplorables have the satisfaction. I'm not going to let them have the last laugh, and last it might certainly be if we let them.

I want to believe that my ancestors' mistakes and yes, evil, don't define me. That they don't get to define the world I'm going to live in. That the foundations of this rotten edifice will be replaced and the building built anew, stronger and more resilient. And that starts with admitting that the foundation is in need of replacement.