I am conflicted and need public opinion.
Saw a social media video post (not here) of some random Nazi armband wearing dude being knocked out by some black guy. My first feeling was disgust. It was over the violence. Just because it is a Nazi doesnt green light you to be violent and commit battery.
If you must resort to violence to win against a weak ideology, aren't you truly the weaker one?
Idk, I just have feelings when I see shit like that on social media.
Fair point. I have no sympathy for Nazi's, but "we" should be better than them. Knocking the guy out may feel good in the moment, but I think it takes away from us when we let them bait us into violence.
@Idrake I am all for taking the high road in _most_ situations. I wouldn't allow someone to abuse my loved ones in public and I would do whatever it takes to prevent the continuation of abuse. I have zero sympathy for main characters who make tiktok videos of abusing people in public. I admit that I cheer when karma catches up to them and hope that they learn a lesson. I feel the same about the people deliberately being provocative with nazi memorabilia. It is violence in both directions.
@Idrake @sirgeefive
I think the best reaction to nazis and other white supremacy jack asses is to laugh hysterically while pointing at them. Of course, you take the risk that they’re armed, and dangerous.
@Smccune55 @Idrake While I agree with you on your reaction, I do so as a person who has benefited from not being violently oppressed for hundreds of years because of the color of my skin. I cannot honestly place myself in the shoes of the person who punched a nazi as I have never experienced the kind of oppression that they have.
That is an interesting point. A lifetime or history of oppression I imagine has to teach people that in some situations that only solution is to fight back. Physically even.
I too have been lucky not to lived a life having felt that or impacted by that. To lash out and attack those actively oppressing you, is that moral? I think so. Is it the same to lump all Nazis into that group and treat them the same. Maybe.
You raise a good point of view with the oppression aspect
Ya know I honestly feel pitty for them. To have that kind of burning hate in the center of your heart, to have that be what drives you, on some level it has to feel awful to be that kind of person.
But, when you are an adult, you have choices to make. Being a Nazi armband wearing moron in public, is going to very effectively be a bullseye. Youre asking for conflict.
Whats the phrase going around today? Fuck around and find out? Yep!
When, if ever is violence justified ?
I believe that in protection of innocent lives, appropriate levels of violence are justified. Punching somebody in the face is mild violence, compared to the words and deeds propagated by Nazis.
In self defense. I think morally, defense is the only time it can be truly just. It doesnt have to be a "wait until they do it to me first" kind of situation either. There is pre-emptive defense too.
The video lacks context, just shows a Nazi being knocked out. While that does appeal to my reptilian brain, it is hard to for to start thinking "it is okay to knock out a Nazi because they are a Nazi".
It is hard to square that circle for me.
@Idrake agree with the wish for peace but am not a black man being abused all my life or jewish losing families. So understand their pov. Not sure I would answer violence with peace if someone attacked my family. Me maybe but not my kids
The video is absent of anything other than a Nazi dude standing there with his one hand up, and then being one punched so hard he turns off. I dont get the impression he was there to fight, he wasnt standing like he was ready to fight.
As repulsive as their ideology is to me, it is just hard for me to watch that shit happen. I feel like, we ought to be better, but clearly some of us aren't.
You likely wont change someone's mind by breaking their jaw.
@Idrake it's a difficult thing. on one side, yeah, avoid violence. but we also live in a time where it seems many are desensitized to the bullshit coming from hate groups and they can gather and speak freely.
these dipshits use to live in the shadows, but now seem emboldened to show themselves.
maybe a solid whoopin is required to make them reconsider their life choices, cuz it seems talking does little these days.
That is honestly something I think as well!! Some folks just cant be talked too and can only learn by stick instead of carrot.
But damn it's hard try and draw that line of when is it okay to be someones ass for talking shit. This isnt a clear cut black and white issue, but I have to conceed youre right, some people need a reality check in the form of a sore jaw.
@Idrake I have made the same argument, probably about the same incident.
But if punching a nazi for being a nazi is a sin, I'm pretty sure it's at least less of one than many others.
Sir, I do not want to talk about my other sins until this life is over and done, thank you! 😈
Though it is likely punching a Nazi is pretty low on the sin-o-meter.
@Idrake It's not typically constructive. I'd like us to be better than that.
But it's better than doing nothing.
@Idrake The way I look at it, civility and non-violence aren't rules of nature, they are social contracts. Nazis like to hide behind the contract as they plot to overturn it. FAFO.
Here is an interesting thought someone had.
"Fascism itself promises aggressive violence so there is no such thing as aggression against fascism, only preemption"
If your ideology is that of violence as a solution to all those of different thinking, is it purely defensive by default to strike first?
Interesting idea, and I like it.
@Idrake The whole reason that a person openly wears a nazi armband is to provoke a reaction. They are literally begging someone to attack them so that they can then play victim. They are hoping to sway your perception of them and invoke a sympathetic response to their obviously atrocious behavior. The more sympathy you have for them, the more acceptable their behavior becomes. I am not saying it is right to attack them. I am saying it is deliberate to provoke an attack.