Useful Idiots of the Day: Antifa

Useful Idiots of the Day: Antifa

There is a certain loathsomeness to a movement that purports a purity of ideals and victimhood status, and yet uses violence toward anyone it dislikes. So strong is its idea that it is right that not only is its violence justified but its victims are to blame for the violence the movement unleashes. This is what the current day Antifa is, a random grouping of college-aged (and at times college-educated) men and women who think their antics are in some way "fighting power".

 This "fight against power" is not about confronting institutions or forces aligned with a repressive government—not at all. Unlike the original Black Block that was started in Germany, the members of Antifa do not confront the police or any agent of the state. Instead, they attack protesters whose ideas they dislike and pretend that they are getting something done.

Using tactics more in line with rioting soccer hooligans or drunk college kids at Mardi Gras, Antifa, or Anti-Fascists, broadcast their commitment to equality, equity, inclusion, and diversity by beating up, harassing, threatening, and/or intimidating rightwingers, feminists, and recently street preachers. Yes, the crazies who scream "God hates gays" recently were made into sympathetic victims by these hapless larpers in black.

 Antifa, for the last year, has been a sort of leftist boogeyman that conservatives and Republicans have trotted out as a 5th column against American society. A 5th column for whom? Communists and socialists, the conservatives scream, but this is just outright wrong and gives too much credit to an ignorant and politically impotent group of young men and women who enjoy their collective rage boners at the problems they cause. The reality is that Antifa acts more like Anonymous than an organized group of protestors. Lacking true organization, Antifa is more like a bewildered mob of morons who put on black and arrive at the nearest protest to attack their opponents—a reactionary horde of cowards whose courage is based on their numbers.

 Simplistic in mindset, high on their righteous devotion to social justice, and lacking of any critical thinking, these complying revolutionaries actually believe they are making a difference, and to some extent they are… but not in the direction they wish. No, the difference they are making is one that primes a mentally exhausted and increasingly bitter public into looking for political figures who will deal with this issue.

 You see, no society likes trouble makers, and most people want an orderly society where law-abiding citizens do not have to worry about being attacked by a group of skinny jeans wearing they/thems, he/theys, and she/hims. To this end, Antifa can be described as the greatest useful idiots for the "lock them up and throw away the key" right-wing politicians looking to cut their teeth on a low risk and high reward social issue. Nothing can be more rewarding for state power and short-term political career advancement than to make laws that would allow punishing these smooth brains in black.

There is a sadness though in the existence of Antifa as it is a political movement of self-avowed leftists who advance neoliberal social ideals as a form of "left" politic. This sadness is what Antifa means for the Left. Gone are workers’ unions marching down the street for better wages. Gone are bread and butter policies and critical thinking leftist leaders who built coalitions to fight for the betterment of hard-working American people's lives. Gone is the promise of a future where men and women could get good-paying jobs that would allow them to create loving families and intimate bonds with one another. No, all there is is the mailed fist of neoliberalism wrapped in social justice as it punches the metaphorical face of the left with each act. 

 It is an unavoidable truth, and an unwelcome sight at that, that the Left has not only been defeated but co-opted. Now, these useless liberals dancing on the grave of the old Left can parade around the streets assaulting those they do not like as they scream that they are fighting hate. All the while, real issues are ignored in favor of what is the most fashionable social issue of the day. Stand against transphobia, stand against racism, stand against sexism, but for the life of you do not stand against joblessness, or wage stagnation, or war. Defund the police and ignore the toll the rising wave of homicides takes on poor communities, especially the poor black communities that these schmucks claim to love. 

 This is why today I devote my time writing this to acknowledge the Useful Idiot of our day… Antifa! Nothing says "I am with stupid!" better than a bunch of smooth brains wearing black screaming "go home transphobe!" as they surround a woman whose hat and glasses they stole. Score one for the proletariat! Take that Bourgeoisie! For Antifa is on the scene and they are going to beat up some middle-class feminists and punch a Trumper in the face in their fight for social justice! Do you hear that? That is the sound of democracy dying!