The False Dilemma of Anti-Fascism

[DISCLAIMER]

In a blogpost entitled Feminism, I discussed how it came to be that I once identified as a feminist. Regarding this matter, I said of an interaction with my former coworker and friend (“Penelope”):

One day, Penelope heard me use the term “feminazi” and she questioned whether or not I was anti-feminist. I wasn’t. A self-declared feminist, Penelope pulled up on her computer the Merriam-Webster definition of feminism and had me read it aloud.

Though modified since then, the description at that time was, “Belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” Penelope added that, “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.”

I was then asked by Penelope whether or not I supported her implied right to earn as much as her male counterparts, which I did. I was also asked whether or not I thought women were entitled to the same rights, privileges, and liberties as men, which I did.

Penelope then answered, “Well, that makes you a feminist.” Though I’d received a brief introduction to feminist theory in counseling, when undergoing my graduate studies, it wasn’t a topic of interest to me and I paid it little attention.

Penelope’s low bar for admission into a sociopolitical movement, and my apathy related to the theoretical and philosophical principles underlying the cause, gave way to my self-identification as a feminist. Still, I took issue with a term that highlighted one sex or gender over another.

Between 2011 and 2012, when that interaction with Penelope occurred, I was ignorant about the function of a false dilemma. For context, one source states:

False Dilemma

(also known as: all-or-nothing fallacy, false dichotomy [form of], the either-or fallacy, either-or reasoning, fallacy of false choice, fallacy of false alternatives, black-and-white thinking, the fallacy of exhaustive hypotheses, bifurcation, excluded middle, no middle ground, polarization)

Description: When only two choices are presented yet more exist, or a spectrum of possible choices exists between two extremes.  False dilemmas are usually characterized by “either this or that” language, but can also be characterized by omissions of choices.  Another variety is the false trilemma, which is when three choices are presented when more exist.

Logical Forms:

Either X or Y is true.

Either X, Y, or Z is true.

Had I understood this form of rhetoric that was illogical and unreasonable (collectively “irrational”), I wouldn’t have identified as a feminist. I could’ve supported feminism (W), opposed feminism (X), remained apathetic (Y), cared while not taking action (Z), and so on.

Favorably, I learned an invaluable lesson from Penelope. Therefore, when Ibram X. Kendi stupefied the world with his 2019 antiracist false dilemma, I didn’t fall for is irrational postulation. For context, Kendi states (page 9):

What’s the problem with being “not racist”? It is a claim that signifies neutrality: “I am not a racist, but neither am I aggressively against racism.” But there is no neutrality in the racism struggle. The opposite of “racist” isn’t “not racist.” It is “antiracist.”

Did you fall for Kendi’s nonsensical prescription? I know many people in my personal and professional life that did. Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled Not Even Wrong:

In 2020, it seemed as though antiracist gibberish was virtually inescapable. Antiracist palaver uses the trappings of a double bind—a situation in which a person is confronted with two irreconcilable demands or a choice between two undesirable courses of action.

Regarding this trick, one source states:

It is bad psychology to tell people who do not believe that they are racist — who may even actively despise racism — that there is nothing they can do to stop themselves from being racist — and then ask them to help you. It is even less helpful to tell them that even their own good intentions are proof of their latent racism.

Worst of all is to set up double-binds, like telling them that if they notice race it is because they are racist, but if they don’t notice race it’s because their privilege affords them the luxury of not noticing race, which is racist.

Kendi’s standard of racism that results in abuse was believed by individuals who I suspect were trying to be what they perhaps thought were open-minded, good, and respectable people during the time of the black square in social profiles. I can understand their reasoning while rejecting their logic.

Use of a false dilemma was unhelpful enough. Still, the addition of a double bind was pernicious (highly injurious or destructive) to the proverbial delicately woven social fabric of the United States (U.S.).

Not to be outdone by feminist and antiracist irrationality, I’ve recently discovered a relatively new attempt at shaming people with the false dilemma of anti-fascism. For context, one source states:

Anti-fascism is a political movement in opposition to fascist ideologies, groups and individuals. Beginning in European countries in the 1920s, it was at its most significant shortly before and during World War II, where the Axis powers were opposed by many countries forming the Allies of World War II and dozens of resistance movements worldwide.

Anti-fascism has been an element of movements across the political spectrum and holding many different political positions such as anarchism, communism, pacifism, republicanism, social democracy, socialism and syndicalism as well as centrist, conservative, liberal and nationalist viewpoints.

Fascism, a far-right ultra-nationalistic ideology best known for its use by the Italian Fascists and the German Nazis, became prominent beginning in the 1910s. Organization against fascism began around 1920.

Fascism became the state ideology of Italy in 1922 and of Germany in 1933, spurring a large increase in anti-fascist action, including German resistance to Nazism and the Italian resistance movement. Anti-fascism was a major aspect of the Spanish Civil War, which foreshadowed World War II.

For a bit more context regarding anti-fascism in the U.S., one source somewhat charitably states:

Antifa is a left-wing anti-fascist and anti-racist political movement. It is sometimes described as a highly decentralized array of autonomous groups in the United States. Antifa political activism includes nonviolent methods of direct action such as poster and flyer campaigns, mutual aid, speeches, protest marches, and community organizing.

Some who identify as antifa also use tactics involving digital activism, doxing, harassment, physical violence, and property damage. Supporters of the movement aim to combat far-right extremists, including neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

“Antifa” is shorthand for anti-fascism. Noteworthy, on September 22, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that declares Antifa as an organization terrorism (the use of violence against non-combatants to achieve political or ideological aims) by stating:

Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law.  It uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals. 

This campaign involves coordinated efforts to obstruct enforcement of Federal laws through armed standoffs with law enforcement, organized riots, violent assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement officers, and routine doxing of and other threats against political figures and activists. 

Antifa recruits, trains, and radicalizes young Americans to engage in this violence and suppression of political activity, then employs elaborate means and mechanisms to shield the identities of its operatives, conceal its funding sources and operations in an effort to frustrate law enforcement, and recruit additional members. 

Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting, and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech.  This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism.

For a relatively brief period of my life, I identified as a feminist. Also, I never considered myself antiracist. Additionally, I’m not fascist or anti-fascist. As well, I’m not supportive of Antifa. Fascinatingly, I’ve discovered a subreddit post in which the following Antifa rhetoric unfolded:

Individual: Mom, are you a fascist?

Woman presumed to be his mom: I don’t think so.

Individual: Are you against fascism?

Woman presumed to be his mom: I would say “yes.”

Individual: Then you’re Antifa. Dad, are you a fascist?

Woman presumed to be his mom: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

Man presumed to be his dad: No.

Individual: Are you against fascism?

Man presumed to be his dad: I’m a Republican.

Individual [speaking slower and more methodically]: Are you against fascism?

Man presumed to be his dad: No, I’m for Republican.

Individual [speaking slower and more methodically]: Are you against fascism, like everybody who fought in World War II was?

Man presumed to be his dad: Everybody who fought in World War II was not against fascism.

Individual: That’s literally what we were fighting against.

Man presumed to be his dad: No it wasn’t.

Woman presumed to be his mom: You’re confusing me.

Individual: Huh? Do you think Hitler was a fascist?

Man presumed to be his dad: No.

Individual: No!? [laughs] Wait a minute! Wait a minute! You don’t think Hitler was a fascist?

Man presumed to be his dad: No.

Individual: How ‘bout Mussolini?

Man presumed to be his dad: No.

Individual: [laughs] He literally—Mussolini literally made the, the first Fascist Party. Okay! Okaayy! Whew!

I’m uncertain as to whether or not anything found on social media platforms is authentic. For the sake of discussion, let’s presume that the aforementioned dialogue represents a genuine interaction.

Perhaps the individual’s dad was merely being obstinate (stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion). Perhaps he wasn’t.

For instance, the dad accurately states that “Everybody who fought in World War II was not against fascism.” It’s likely that the fascists weren’t against fascism. It’s also plausible that some people who were conscripted to fight against fascists weren’t against fascism.

Since I have no further context regarding the dad’s rationale (an underlying reason), I’ll instead shift to the false dilemma of anti-fascism concerning the individual and his mom, as similar trappings were used with me pertaining to a low bar of identification as a feminist.

The individual used a false dichotomy: Either X or Y is true. Either his mom was a fascist or not. She answered in the negative. Either his mom was against fascism or she wasn’t. She was against it. Therefore, his mom was either Antifa or she wasn’t. He concluded the former.

Perhaps unaware of the low bar to inclusion in the category of terrorist, the individual’s false dilemma exposed his mom to potential monitoring by U.S. federal authorities. Personally, the dad’s perceived obstinate replies were preferable options.

After all, one can support Antifa, not support Antifa, remain apathetic about Antifa, remain agnostic about Antifa, favor Antifa’s ideology without supporting it, assume an anti-Antifa position, refuse to answer any questions about Antifa, and so forth and so on.

Like many other matters in life, there aren’t simple binaries into which complex systems (i.e., humans) neatly fit. Unfortunately for the woman presumed to be the individual’s mom in the Reddit post, playing the false dilemma of anti-fascism game may have unintended consequences.

Perhaps there’s a psychoeducational lesson in all of this that may be of benefit to you. I encourage you to understand how false dilemmas and double binds function. With this comprehension, perhaps you can avoid federal charges when being featured on social media.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

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