Opinions on "Antifa"?

[moda253]

105. At the anti-racism march in Minneapolis last night

Edit I should preface this by admitting my ignorance regarding groups like antifa, black blok and all that. I just know that these guys carried the antifa flag and wore the balck and masks.

There were a few antifa there (or at least they seemed to claim they were). They were masked, dressed in black and all that. BUT I had gotten the sense that these guys weren't hardened people ready to do any sort of battle so much as do what I felt was a few stupid and dangerous tricks. At the march someone had on woode 1"x1" boards some khaki pants and a white shirt and nazi symbols markered on it. Like a nazi dummy. Anyway we ended the march at city hall and the dummy was stuck into the ground in some bushes. At some point the antifa guys thought it would be a good idea to light the thing on fire. Which, to me was just pointlessly stupid because obviously there was going to be destruction of property.... The really stupid thing about it is that once the clothes were burned from the scaffold holding them up what was left was..... wait for it........ wait for it...... A burning cross. /Facepalm.

I am all for defending when physical violence presents itself. But I do not think that masking yourself is the right approach. And there were more than a few people that let these guys know that. Maybe I have a different perspective being a white male. But I think part of the strength in this is showing that we aren't afraid to show who we are and what we are and that we are here to stand up for people. But then there is the risk of putting yourself into situations that you might not be able to get yourself out of. Like unfair legal battles that you can't possibly defend yourself against. Or being easily identifiable and having someone follow you home and take out their angst against your family or friends. Still, I think donning the black masks is similar too much to the other side wearing the hoods. When you have your face out there to be known you are more accountable in your actions. If your actions are justified then hopefully you will be vindicated. Then again I'm a white mail. My experience and privilege is a lot different than others. So for me.... I don't wear masks. Besides I think it is important for it to be known that I got their backs.