#1354 Police violence and racism are a product of our past (Uprising, Crackdown, Authoritarianism) (Throwback)

Roger Griffin's 'The Nature of Fascism' is a seminal work that provides a comprehensive analysis of fascism as a political ideology and phenomenon. Griffin introduces the concept of 'palingenetic ultranationalism' to define fascism's core myth: the idea of national rebirth after a period of perceived decline. The book explores the various forms fascism has taken across different historical and cultural contexts. Griffin examines the ideological components of fascism, including its relationship to modernity, nationalism, and violence. Through a detailed analysis, 'The Nature of Fascism' offers a framework for understanding the enduring appeal and persistent recurrence of fascist ideas.

In 'On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society,' Lt. Col. Dave Grossman explores the psychology of the act of killing and its implications on soldiers and society. The book is based on S.L. A. Marshall's studies from World War II, which revealed that most soldiers do not fire their weapons due to an innate resistance to killing. Grossman details how military training has evolved to overcome this resistance, resulting in significantly higher firing rates in subsequent wars. He also discusses the psychological costs of killing, including post-traumatic stress, and raises questions about the impact of escalating violence in society. The book has been widely acclaimed and is on the U.S. Marine Corps' Commandant’s Required Reading List and required reading at the FBI Academy.

The Radical King, edited by Cornel West, presents a comprehensive view of Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy and activism, focusing on his critiques of capitalism, militarism, and systemic racism. The book includes lesser-known speeches and writings, offering a fuller picture of King's ideology and activism beyond his widely recognized advocacy for civil rights.

Between the World and Me is a personal and literary exploration of America's racial history. Written as a series of letters to his 15-year-old son, Samori, Ta-Nehisi Coates reflects on his own experiences growing up in Baltimore, his education at Howard University, and his career as a journalist. The book delves into the realities of being Black in America, including the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery, segregation, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Coates shares personal anecdotes and historical insights to prepare his son for the challenges he will face as a Black man in America, while also offering a broader critique of American society and its treatment of Black bodies. The book is a powerful and emotional exploration of identity, history, and the struggle for racial justice.

On Combat delves into the psychological and physiological impacts of deadly battle on the human body, affecting the nervous system, heart, breathing, visual and auditory perception, and memory. The book, written by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen, provides combat coping strategies, discusses the prevention and management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emphasizes the importance of post-combat debriefing for healing. It also explores historical perspectives on combat, the evolution of combat tactics, and the psychological leverage that enables humans to engage in deadly conflict. The authors draw on extensive research and anecdotes from combat veterans to offer practical advice on surviving and recovering from combat experiences.

In 'The Anatomy of Fascism,' Robert O. Paxton delves into the nature of fascism by examining the actions of fascist movements rather than their ideologies. He surveys how these movements sought followers, formed alliances, and exercised power, highlighting characteristics such as the emphasis on historical grievances, the cult of leadership, mass-based national militant movements, repression of democratic liberties, and the use of violence. Paxton also explores why fascists came to power in some countries but not others and whether fascism could exist outside its early-twentieth-century European context. The book is based on a lifetime of research and provides a comprehensive understanding of fascism, its variations, and its implications for modern history.