The Paradox of Tolerance, First They Came, and ANTIFA

The Paradox of Tolerance, a concept coined by philosopher Karl Popper:
“A tolerant society should be tolerant by default; With one exception: it should not tolerate intolerance itself.”

First They Came by Martin Niemöller during Hitler’s Nazi Era:

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Martin Niemöller was a German Lutheran pastor and theologian born in Lippstadt, Germany, in 1892. Niemöller was an anti-Communist and supported Adolf Hitler’s rise to power at first. But when the regime began affecting him, he changed his mind.  When Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. He then became the leader of of German clergymen who opposed Hitler.

The AltRight, KKK, League of the South and related hate groups want their Constitutional Rights to bear arms and enjoy free speech, however they do not believe in the Constitution when it comes to equal rights for women, minorities, LGBTQ or much of anything else in the Constitution. Their intolerance requires us to cease tolerating them. Trump thinks we should love our beautiful statues commemorating slavery and study a myth about how to insult Muslims – he is an insult to all decent people.

We should be thanking the ANTIFA for standing up to them, when most of us would just prefer to ignore white supremacists.  They are gaining numbers because only a few organizations, like the SPLC continue to watch them and report on their acts of hatred and violence. The last thing we need is a president who has consistently given them what they want – legitimacy and the confidence that they can come out of the hoods and be acknowledged or heard by the civilized people in our country. The fact is, they have nothing to say, which was evident when Richard Spencer had the microphone in his hand on stage in Gainesville at the University of Florida, yet didn’t have any comments other than to demean those who were there to heckle him. People who are blaming minorities for their problems need to start looking at the true culprits – corporate greed and the politicians who enable them.

Donate to crowdfunding campaigns run by credible anti-fascist groups.  We recommend the fund being endorsed by Seven Hills Antifa as one place to donate, given that Seven Hills is a recognized antifa crew and part of The Torch Antifa Network.  This legal defense fund should also be legitimate, as it’s been endorsed by Rose City Antifa, who are also part of The Torch or The International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund. We’re an international fund run by over 400 anti-fascists in seventeen different countries, with a two-year track record of providing support to anti-fascists and anti-racists.  We report regularly on our activities and we’ve been endorsed by three different anti-fascists/anti-racist networks around the world.