Streamlets of fascism: from diagnosis to resistance
December 9, 3.15 p.m. – 4.45 p.m., Big Stage of Powszechny Theatre

➤ participants:
– prof. Małgorzata Fuszara – lawyer, sociologist
– Magdalena Gawin – Social Therapy Centre for Young People No 1, SOS
– Piotr Laskowski – ISNS UW
– Honorata Sadurska – Equality March Lublin

➤ moderators: Julia Minasiewicz, Sebastian Słowiński

On 13 October 2018 the Equality March made its way through the streets of Lublin, not without some challenges, though. The coverage of the event showed almost iconic images of a clash of two forces: the brown wave of violence and the vibrant, joyous parade. Why such an extreme polarisation of sentiments? Where does it come from? Has the violent side gone so far to warrant the charge of full-blown ‘fascism’?

Based on this and other examples from our everyday lives we will seek to locate the sources of fascism, whose effects can be seen everywhere: in our language, in people’s behaviour, in how they treat each other, and in the way politics is practised. Macro- and micro-fascism, political fascism (which is spreading across the world) and fascism in daily life.

As we are surrounded by growing nationalisms, let us look at the sources of young people’s susceptibility to this ideology. By examining examples from what we see around us and drawing parallels to the past, we will trace the relationship between misogyny and the formation of a fascist personality. How do educational practices in schools make young people prone to internalise different behaviours and attitudes? How can it be avoided? What does feminism have to do with the fashion for suffering, heroism, strong physique and t-shirts with images related to the doomed soldiers (post-WWII anti-communist guerrilla fighters)?

Understood as a process, feminization seems to be an effective tool in the fight against fascism. We are talking here about an inclusive feminism that encompasses our language, as it is spoken, written and shouted at the barricades; a feminism for everybody, one that organizes the shifting reality of ideas about community, individuals, systems and, finally, about real life.

We will combine these concerns with an analysis of the growing strength of attacks on women’s movements, which can be seen both (on a smaller scale) in the ubiquitous victim-blaming and in the autonomous, extremely dangerous incel movement.

We have invited a diverse mix of guests, both theorists and practitioners, to reflect on and discuss the proposal of feminism as an inclusive political process and the strength of this proposal. We encourage diverse perspectives and a multiplicity of voices, but also a strong (not in a macho sense) remedial practice, which can be engaged in by everyone starting today.