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3 years ago I started a project to teach machines to automatically identify these symbols in images and videos. The iconography has changed very little in the span of 3 years as this video points out. https://twitter.com/insidernews/status/1350848151058604037
In 2016 and 2017, these symbols were used by what we called "crypto fascists" or people who hid behind symbolism to signal to other fascists they were among friends.
The term has somewhat fallen out of favor over the years in favor of "mask-off".
The term has somewhat fallen out of favor over the years in favor of "mask-off".
This reflects an inclination on the part of people supporting fascist ideology to stop caring about hiding their politics. We've been slipping down the slope since 2015. This is why many of us on the left aren't surprised to see these people in the crowd on 1/6.
Ultimately, that's what this has always been about. They don't want democracy, they want dictatorship. They're not satisfied with negotiating terms, they want capitulation.
We have to start calling fascism by its name in this country. Until we all collectively agree on that basic premise, it's tough to see how rhetorical unity of any kind is possible.
