The rise of fascism is not uniquely American. It is part of a global trend across Europe, in India, Israel, and elsewhere. What does that mean for our struggle here in the heart of empire?
People who are trauma survivors use fawning as a survival strategy, when they cannot fight, flee or freeze. Fawning behaviors, e.g. the victim pretending to agree with and soothe/pump up the perpetrator, keep the bully focused on himself and not the victim. Many people have either direct descendents of oppression or are currently part of oppressed groups e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc., where survival depended on collusion, pretense, and/or complete surrender to corruption. They go along with fascists to survive what they perceive as a no win situation. Imagination, ethics, mental/spiritual health and ancestral wisdom can create alternatives to what the status quo system offers us. Many people are traumatized to the point where they have lost access to wonder, awe, joy, creativity, and only recognize dangerous enemies plotting against them.
Wonderfully concise breakdown, should be required reading for everybody.
thanks Chris!
People who are trauma survivors use fawning as a survival strategy, when they cannot fight, flee or freeze. Fawning behaviors, e.g. the victim pretending to agree with and soothe/pump up the perpetrator, keep the bully focused on himself and not the victim. Many people have either direct descendents of oppression or are currently part of oppressed groups e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc., where survival depended on collusion, pretense, and/or complete surrender to corruption. They go along with fascists to survive what they perceive as a no win situation. Imagination, ethics, mental/spiritual health and ancestral wisdom can create alternatives to what the status quo system offers us. Many people are traumatized to the point where they have lost access to wonder, awe, joy, creativity, and only recognize dangerous enemies plotting against them.