About 40 years ago, a friend gave me Klaus Theweleit’s book Male Fantasies, the first in his series about the fascist imagination, specifically how it was expressed in letters and journals of the post-WW I Friekorpsmen, who were the forerunners of the Nazi SS. It was a seminal (pun intended) book for my evolving political thinking.

Like many people, I’m aghast at our American government’s violence and endorsement of violence, and its elevation of lies over truth. Lyz Lenz’s current post in response to the murder of Renee Good covers all these shameful bases. Here’s just one paragraph:

We are trapped inside a fascist imagination. And we didn't get here by accident. We got here through a series of compromises, of well actuallys, of maybe they should have been nicer, kinder, more compliant; maybe they should smiled more, worn a better outfit. But there is no version of America where it won't be your fault when you are shot. There is no life you can live that is pure enough, good enough, that when the state kills you, it won't call you the victim.

Luckily, I’m not in the habit of watching television news or listening to the radio. It’s overwhelming, at least for me, just to read the news and newsletters like Lyz’s, without engaging any of my other senses. Reading provides me with more control over what I consume than video or audio or even static images. Again, at least for me this is true.

But, I’ll keep reading about our American fascist moment and keep hoping it’s truly a moment, and not a death sentence for freedom, tolerance, education, and democracy.

Other newsletters I subscribe to are from

Jamelle Bouie, a NYT columnist

Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a scholar, professor, and expert on strong-man fascism

Heather Cox Richardson, a historian and professor

Thanks for reading.