This is a personal reflection on institutional complicity during times of fascism. I’m about to get pushed out of my job, not because I’m not a talented educator but because this regime has re-framed my research as “controversial” and thus unspeakable and unwelcome. All of this is taking place under the guise of (wait for it) “viewpoint diversity.”
There are a handful of points I make in this free-ranging episode: (1) there is no self-preservation when it comes to kissing the ring, because fascists mean to take it all, (2) stop “looking up to” politicians, business leaders, and people in positions of power in institutions of higher learning— they’re not the leaders you’re looking for: you are.
We need to stop saying, “Well if ____ caved, then what can the rest of us do?” Because here’s the answer: the rest of you can do a whole lot.
And a lot of people this culture has told you to accept as leaders have always caved to power. Why? They were never leaders but palatable middle-managers placed into positions of power, precisely because they would protect unjust power structures. Do not be shaken when they fail to meet the moment, because they were always going to fail to meet the moment.
Regular people are more powerful and more leader-full than any institution.
Leadership requires an alignment between words and action and a willingness to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, especially when it costs you something.
There’s a high price to pay for integrity, and the price and the pain are always worth it.
Regular people are going to lead this movement and, eventually, people sitting on the sidelines (including some of the same leaders who abandoned people) will come around claiming they always supported the pro-democracy movement.
Regular people can also remember liars.
Regular people can hold liars accountable.
No powerful person who abandons you to fascist harm is a leader.
They never were. If this time teaches you anything, let it be this: you were always the leaders you’ve been waiting on. Always.
