[mobglob-discuss] Kick Nazis Out of Our Movement

[Garth Mullins]

I agree with Dave in the need to be careful. Nazi and Fascist are specific 
political phenomena and need to be treated as such. I proposed that our first 
mechanism should be clear statements that defend us from the participation of 
far right elements because they find our world view and organizational 
processes repellant. 

Thus far, our movement has erred on being too soft on racism and fascism. It 
is this softness that will destroy us. A witch hunt for anybody that as ever 
made a racist joke will be likewise divisive and internaizing. If its 
personal beliefs, education should be the first response. However, it is the 
organized far-right that concerns me, and should be allowed no space within 
our ranks.

g 


Dave Havard <dhavard at mdi.ca> said:

> I am in agreement with protecting ourselves from racists and fascists.
> However I think we need to be a bit more specific in how we do that.  I
> was appalled at the way Chris and Jill were treated by VFAN and I hope
> we will not indulge in that kind of witch hunt or the movement will
> destroy ourselves.  McCarthyism is not the way to go in a movement
> dedicated to respect for diversity.  We need to name up front in each of
> our groups what kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.  People can
> only be expelled if they break the guidelines we have agreed.  Hence
> people could be expelled for speaking or writing things which are
> clearly racist, sexist or whatever.  They could be expelled for
> membership of a recognised fascist group.  They should not be hounded
> for association or for distributing a magazine that may have had racist
> comments in previous issues.
> 
> I think we need to be careful not to panic ourselves over this by
> getting too dramatic.  Nobody will want to join a movement which seems
> to be paranoid.  It may be exciting to believe ouselves to be under
> attack from neo-nazis and secret police.  It's not a practical way of
> mobilizing support however.  The fascists in Calgary were obviously even
> more disorganised than we were so were hardly a threat to distact us
> from the G8 leaders.
> 
> In peace,
> Deacon Dave
> 
> _______________________________________________
> mobglob-discuss mailing list
> mobglob-discuss at resist.ca
> http://resist.ca/mailman/listinfo/mobglob-discuss
> 



--