Editor's note: Film Sessions is a weekly feature here on Media Madness in which I share, analyze and expand on a relevant video from the left wing of Youtube. Please note that I'm merely writing about these videos; I don't create them, nor in most cases to do I know very much about the folks who do - I'm learning the ways of Left Wing Youtube right alongside my readers.
Additionally, I'd like to shoutout "TechnOkami" on my Discord server for recommending today's video for inclusion in this series; excellent pick my friend.
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Well, you knew at some point we'd have to look at a video touching on the fascist riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, 2021, an its larger meaning in American society - didn't you?
Frankly, I don't think it's much of a secret that I'm actively eager to move on from writing about Donald Trump, who after this shocking (and yet still completely predictable) event, has very much become "yesterday's man" in the larger story of American fascism. As I've mentioned in several articles however, the end of Downmarket Mussolini, and the ultimate flameout of his doomed coup attempt are not, and will not be, the end of the burgeoning fascist uprising in the Pig Empire; not when literally so much is at stake. Given that I'd already broken down the riot in a lengthy podcast, and discussed why this was definitely a fascist coup attempt, I wanted to make sure whatever presentation I did end up sharing here expanded on those efforts, while focusing extensively on what all this means for post-Trump fascism going forward.
These requirements created some complications then, as originally I want to feature a video about the chud uprising in last week's edition of Film Sessions, but couldn't find a feature suitably focused on both American fascism itself, and what happens after Trump is mercifully gone. Thankfully, and just when I was about to give up, a friend of mine pointed me towards today's twenty-two minute Youtube feature by Renegade Cut, otherwise known as Leon Thomas, entitled quite appropriately "Where Do We Go From Here?" Frankly, I don't know much about Leon (who is also a geek genre film critic, hence the channel title) but if the two videos I've watched are any indication, this man might be my brother from another mother - at least when it comes to analyzing American fascism.
The first thing you'll notice when watching Leon's work, is that he talks very quickly and his videos are jam-packed with highly-specific, factual references. In a format typically dominated by the hot take economy, and opinion-based reaction videos, I find this quite refreshing - but I'm not going to lie; I caught myself taking notes at several points in Renegade Cut's presentation, just to make sure I wouldn't leave anything out in this write up. Thankfully, the second thing you'll notice about Thomas's videos is that he seems like a really organized presenter, and even a short (22 minute) video essay like "Where Do We Go From Here?" is divided up into three distinct, labeled parts.
In the first part of the video, entitled "False Reality," Thomas looks to answer a series of "why" questions about the lead up to the chud riot in D.C. on January 6th, 2021. Crucially these questions go beyond just why did the insurrection attempt happen, and touch on why it's important to acknowledge that Trumpism is an inherently fascist movement, why Trump supporters are prepared to overthrow the government rather than accept that Biden won, and why American fascists inherently consider their political opponents illegitimate and traitorous. Touching on key ideas I've also written about, and covered on the No Fugazi Podcast, this section quickly explores concepts like cultural nationalism, the invocation of a mythic past, and how Trump's election fraud claims fit into a larger false reality narrative; all in about seven minutes. I should also mention that in part one, Thomas recommends watching his previous video about why the MAGA movement behind Trump, is explicitly fascist; although I've since watched that thirty-eight minute video and thought it was excellent, I didn't feel viewing it was in any way necessary to understand the work presented in "Where Do We Go From Here?"
The second portion of the video, "January 6th, 2021" then focuses deeply on precisely what happened both before, during, and after the doomed fascist coup attempt itself. Obviously, after two weeks of debunking and dissection, some of what Thomas covers here won't be news to viewers, but I still think there are a number of topics he focuses on in this section, that aren't getting a lot of coverage in more mainstream, or corporate media. Highlights include pointing out the significant and unmistakable presence of explicitly fascist groups (and police) among the rioters, why it is completely appropriate to call this event a coup or an insurrection, and a video clip of Rudy Giuliani clearly calling for the election dispute to be resolved with a "trial by combat."
Finally, the video closes out on a high note with a conclusion entitled "What Happens Now" and ultimately, it's the contents of this section that convinced me to feature "Where Do We Go From Here" in this week's Film Sessions. Discussing crucial topics like why the American right is desperately trying to minimize the existence of its own (now quite mainstream) fascist support, why a failure is not evidence that it's not fascism, and why Joe Biden's neoliberal police state can't be relied on to stop burgeoning American fascism, Thomas lays out why American fascism will outlive Trump, and why contrary to the ravings of NIMBY liberalism, the only real and effective solution is organized anti-fascist counter protesting.
Whew; I told you this guy talked fast, didn't I? Of course "Where Do We Go From Here" is not a perfect video; I would have liked to see a bit more analysis about the role of settler colonialism in the rise of American fascism, why (demographically) white supremacy can no longer be maintained democratically in the Pig Empire, and at least something on the billionaire nazi muppets that are paying for it all; guys like Bob Mercer. At the end of the day however, you can really only expect so much out of a twenty-two minute video, and given everything that Renegade Cut does deliver in this feature, I'm comfortable saying this is one of the best videos about American fascism on Youtube in general - check it out below:
Additional Resources
MAGA and Fascism by Renegade Cut
Call It by Its Name: Wednesday Was a Fascist Riot
The Insurrection Was Predictable
This Is the United States of QAnon
Trump Is Leaving, but US Fascism Is Just Getting Its Boots On
Trump will leave but the ingredients of homegrown fascism remain
If You Didn’t Vote for Trump, Your Vote Is Fraudulent
The Bitter Fruits of Trump’s White-Power Presidency
Insurrection Timeline — First the Coup and Then the Cover-Up
Police and Racist Vigilantes: Even Worse Than You Think
Don't look past Trump's coup attempt
Downplaying Trumpism Is Dangerous
Yes, It Was a Coup Attempt. Here’s Why.
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No Fugazi: In Between Days (Coup Episode)
Fascism, White Nationalism and American Values
On Media, White Nationalism & Hugo Weaving
American Fascism & Networks of Power
Thought-Crimes and Appeasement
A Primer on Americanized Fascism
No Fugazi: 5 Part Fascism Series
Amerikan Musik: Fascism Ascendant in the USA Page
- nina illingworth
Independent writer, critic and analyst with a left focus. Please help me fight corporate censorship by sharing my articles with your friends online!
You can find my work at ninaillingworth.com, Can’t You Read, Media Madness and my Patreon Blog
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