Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: What is 'Antifa?'
Dec 23, 2025
Discover the contested meaning of 'Antifa' and its historical roots in 1930s Germany. Explore how naming shapes movements and the implications of anti-fascism. Learn about Antifa's ties to leftist groups and its media resurgence after the Charlottesville rally. The hosts discuss varied tactics from peaceful protests to allegations of violence, and debunk conspiracy theories surrounding centralized control. Finally, they consider the legal ramifications of labeling Antifa and the broader context of extremist violence in the US.
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Name Became A Cognitive Shortcut
- The term "Antifa" is a portmanteau of "anti-fascist" with roots in 1930s Germany and broader historical anti-fascist movements.
- Its meaning has blurred into a catch-all label applied to many groups and tactics, causing mission creep and confusion.
Chasing A Slippery Target
- Defining fascism precisely is hard and scholars debate its boundaries.
- Antifa fights a concept that itself lacks a single, fixed definition, complicating responses.
Origins From Punk And Anti-Racist Actions
- Mark Bray's book traces modern Antifa roots to 1980s groups like Anti-Racist Action confronting neo-Nazis.
- Movements like SHARP (Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice) show historical diversity inside anti-fascist scenes.