Why Are People Called Communist When They Clearly Aren’t?
Similar to why people are called fascists or Nazis when they clearly aren’t, the reasons are multifaceted and rooted in both ignorance and intentional misuse for derogatory purposes.
Ignorance and Misuse of Terms
The primary reasons for such labeling stem from a lack of understanding of what these terms truly mean. Many individuals, including those who may be part of these political ideologies, speak and write with little understanding of the core ideologies they're discussing. As a result, terms like 'communist,' 'fascist,' and 'national socialist' are often used incorrectly or out of context.
Furthermore, these terms are frequently used pejoratively to discredit or silence those who hold differing views. Rather than engaging in substantive discussions, it’s easier to label an opposing viewpoint as something undesirable or radical, thus dismissing it outright without due consideration.
Historical Precedents and Mislabeling
Capitalizing on the lack of understanding, mislabeling has long been a tactic to discredit figures and movements. For example, I’ve personally experienced being called a “commie” for expressing views that more conservative individuals disagreed with, and similarly, during high school, being called a “Mussie,” a derogatory term for Muslim, for opposing U.S. government policies in the Middle East. In both cases, these labels were used as a means to dismiss my opinions and potentially silence me.
A historical example relevant to this discussion is when President John F. Kennedy was murdered by a member of the Ku Klux Klan in 1963. Many conspiracy theories arose, including the notion that he was assassinated by a communist sympathizer. Such theories, while unsupported, demonstrate how easily labels like “communist” can be attached to individuals or movements, often based on ignorance and political bias rather than factual evidence.
Political Labeling in Current Context
Political labeling is a pervasive issue in the current landscape, where neither party consistently adheres to the definitions of terms used to describe them. For instance, Democrats may label Republicans as fascists, and Republicans may label Democrats as socialists. However, it’s important to note that the terms ‘fascist’ and ‘socialist’ are themselves open to interpretation and can be misused.
When evaluating labels, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the ideological underpinnings of the terms. The Fascist Manifesto, for example, contains ideas that align more closely with Democrats' current positions than with Republicans' positions. This does not make the label of ‘socialist’ accurate, but it does highlight how the term ‘fascist’ is somewhat less applicable.
The Example of COVID-19
Political labeling is particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, when the president was a Republican, Democrats blamed the president, while Republicans blamed Democratic governors and government actions. Now, with a Democratic president, the roles have reversed, with Republicans blaming the president and Democrats blaming Republican governors.
This situation underscores the clear tendency for each side to place blame and accusations on the other, often without regard for evidence or lack thereof supporting their claims. It’s a circular and reciprocal process that exacerbates political divides and creates a toxic environment where accurate discussion and resolution of issues become increasingly difficult.
Conclusion
The prevalence of political labeling, mislabeling, and the use of terms like ‘communist,’ ‘fascist,’ and ‘socialist’ serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate knowledge and discourse. Instead of resorting to terms that serve more as a means of dismissal rather than constructive dialogue, we should strive to engage in more substantive and evidence-based conversations about our political beliefs and ideologies.