Activism is not immune to authoritarianism. When you shut down any opposing or critical thought of your view and/or punish the opposer for expressing them, it becomes tyranny. It is the same behaviour that puts communism into the hands of tyrants – it’s fascism painted in green.
I wrote an article that was critical of this behaviour, referencing a prominent Australian feminist. Despite acknowledging my agreement with most of her views and even supporting her strong work and advocacy for years, I was tagged in posts referring to me as a “Liberal White Feminist” who was aligned with “Genocidal Zionists.” I was accused of not being vocal about a range of issues – despite having no obligation to prove myself a “good girl” or a “good leftie” to any faceless person behind a keyboard – and trying, myself, not to replicate that same intellectual elitism when I internally dismiss them as an ignorant fool.
Not only does this redirect discourse away from the very cause they claim to fight for – it also trivialises and dilutes the actions of actual “genocidal zionists”.
The striking part was this: the very behaviour I was calling out, was the behaviour now being directed at me.
Despite an increasing number of far-left activists (whom I have and do largely align myself with) choosing an “other” then labelling anyone who dares display critical thought that “other” — they replicate a tactic long used by dictatorships and fascists: you pick an enemy, a “bad guy,” and anyone who disagrees or even questions you becomes that bad guy — or is accused of sympathising with them, regardless of their actual views or intentions.
Donald Trump’s administration conflates dissenters with being transgender, queer, woke, or Palestinian. Israeli lobbyists weaponise accusations of antisemitism. The Nazis targeted Jewish and LGBTQIA+ people, using slurs like degenerate, cultural Bolshevism, and Jewish intellectualism to discredit dissent and justify violence. This tactic dehumanises. It silences. It shames. It shuts down critical thought and poisons discourse — and ultimately, it paves the way for moral disengagement and the justification of harm.
Am I calling far-left advocates Nazis? No. That’s not my belief, my aim, or my point. But the behaviour I’m witnessing follows a recognisable pattern — and if we don’t name it, we can’t claim integrity in the fight against inhumanity.
It’s important to me to write this in the midst of such radical change and disarray in the world. You might ask – why this, and why now? When there are so many urgent, direct crises I could be writing about – and do. One reason is that there are others who can speak to those things more directly, and I’m committed to learning from, sharing and amplifying those voices. But another reason is this: I’m seeing harm within activist spaces that is not only blocking progress, but beginning to mirror the very systems we claim to fight against.
There is a very real and violent assault on precious lives happening right now. And it’s because the stakes are so high that I feel compelled to draw attention to what’s unfolding in our own communities. When we slander others – not because they have vastly different ideals, but because of how they approach the matter or how they understand a matter – Who is reading? Who is listening? Who is being empowered, and who is being silenced? What progress is being stalled? And how is this serving your cause – really?
It’s important to speak about this because so many people are afraid to talk about important issues. They’re not just afraid of far-right slander or sexism and racism. They’re afraid of getting torn apart by the people they’re usually aligned with. They’re afraid they won’t be backed up if they draw attention to an issue. Sometimes they cop more vitriol from their own than from the opposition.
This doesn’t progress a cause. It impedes it. It discourages awareness, conversations, strategy, and growth. We ridicule people for staying silent and upholding the status quo, but we also create a culture where speaking up imperfectly gets you dogpiled. Yes, we should call out when people shout over marginalised voices or perpetuate harm. But can we do it in ways that don’t replicate cycles of violence? That doesn’t humiliate, alienate, or silence?
It doesn’t mean POC takes a back seat. It means: educate, don’t humiliate. Call in before you call out. Yes, white feminist rhetoric can be problematic. Yes, we should name it when we see it. But my dear friend put it well the other day, when I was venting about an uninformed take that felt harmful:
“But no one has ever had their views changed or altered by being called a bigot, a homophobic etc. Doesn’t create a dialogue, doesn’t allow education. And it’s your choice whether you want to educate or not.”
To which I responded: “Fuck off.” (Okay, not really – I said something much worse, which makes me a hypocrite in this article. But hey, at least it wasn’t public and also… growth, right?)
There’s so much “no but-ing” and not enough “yes and-ing” in activist spaces. Horns locked. No progress. No room for pragmatic resolve.
There’s room for outrage. Hell, there’s a necessity for it. There’s a necessity to scream. But differing strategies matter too. These aren’t competing forces – they’re part of a larger ecosystem of resistance. Screaming works for some. Lobbying works for others. Organising, storytelling, policy-making, mutual aid – it all matters. Different people bring different tactics. Different people resonate with different voices. Different people connect with simple language, some with complex. That’s how we win.
Not everyone has the right words. Not everyone can “read a book”, let alone write one. Not everyone agrees or resonates with your method. But different doesn’t mean wrong. Different doesn’t mean less. And different definitely doesn’t mean fascist.
And all too often, I witness the hypocrisy – and dare I say, the immorality – of those who scream the loudest but lack depth. The banner-wavers who go quiet when it impacts them personally. Who disappear when it’s time to show up for someone vulnerable in their own community.
Meanwhile, people with the most day-to-day integrity – the ones doing the work in their own circles – often are people who speak imperfectly. They make politically incorrect statements. They don’t have the right words. But they care. They’re trying.
That’s who I’m writing for.
Delicate Feral – Bambi-Rose Woodward 