With Proud Boys and their non-white supporters, all the pieces actually revolves round right-wing authoritarianism

Using data provided by the Distributed Denial of Secrets whistleblower website, Carless found that donations from the Chinese diaspora accounted for more than 80% of the $ 106,107 raised so far to cover medical expenses for Proud Boys incurred during their Attacks in mid-December on downtown Washington, DC, were injured as part of the “Stop the Steal” protests.

The flood of donations began immediately after the protest on December 12th. It is possible that the Chinese community has been alarmed by coverage of the Epoch Times, an anti-communist Falun Gong newspaper that has become intrepid supporters of Donald Trump and the conspiracy theories that his fans thrive on in recent years.

The most interesting aspect of this is the rationalization offered by the donors. When Carless turned to them, few replied, some of them hostile. One who answered gave only one answer in one sentence: “Very simple, in a time of social chaos you have the courage to stand up for the support of law and order.”

Others explained their thinking by leaving messages on GoFundMe at the time of their donation.

“The Proud Boys protect the innocent,” said Donald Wang, a Queens, New York resident, who donated $ 50. “Lots of people in my community support them.”

“You are the real heroes and patriots!” wrote a donor named Janice Wang after donating $ 100.

“Thank you for your courage to fight for our freedom !!” wrote a donor named Ao Liu after donating $ 30.

“Thank you, proud boys. They are my heroes,” wrote a donor named Nancy Chang, who had sent $ 300 the day before members of the Proud Boys stormed the US Capitol.

Having covered the Proud Boys from the start, I can confirm that this type of Manichean and heroism-oriented worldview is the essence of what attracts people to proto-fascist groups like the Proud Boys and what keeps them together even after the unpleasant reality of theirs violent and ugly nature begins to sink in.

Every proud boy I’ve ever interviewed – especially the few black people and transgender activists who marched with them – explained their involvement and motivation in a similar way: They see themselves as patriotic “real” Americans who are saving the nation from godless Marxists and anarchists who oppose the “oppression” of Black Lives Matter and the expression of gender, as well as the cultural shame for racism, misogyny and homophobia.

The term for this type of thinking is authoritarianism. We usually think of it as political systems, specifically as the imposition of dictatorial rule by tyrannical dictators from the top down. In reality, however, it is a phenomenon made possible only by the great armies of authoritarian followers who support and empower these dictators – people who want stubborn authoritarian rule by glorified, instinctively led national leaders who naturally owe to them Position ascend their superiority in spirit and character, and the enactments of which are, of course, de facto virtuous and effective.

As Matthew MacWilliams explained in Politico a few years ago:

Authoritarianism is best understood not as a political preference, as the way we talk about lower taxes or strong defenses, but as a worldview presented at the right historical moment by anyone with a megaphone big enough to play Fears and uncertainties of the voters can be “activated”.

When authoritarian Americans are activated by fear, they tend to trade civil liberties for strong law and order solutions. and they are ready to withdraw from the civil liberties defined as “other” – a far cry from the image of America as a country based on a shared commitment to freedom and democratic governance.

Authoritarianism is a widespread phenomenon that arises from the basic human conditions – especially the desire for security and the fear that comes with it – that occur in all cultures and societies. Thus, it cuts off all racial, ethnic and other lines of identity and attracts people from all walks of life.

Members of the Asian-American community confirmed this to Carless, noting that Trump himself received support from conservative members of their community, including those who abide by old social norms. The Proud Boys’ ethos, which revolves around masculinity and “traditional” Western culture, naturally draws on strong sympathy.

“The Proud Boys are a very attractive place for men of all ethnicities who are part of a toxic masculinity,” said Jennifer Ho, president of the Association for Asian American Studies. “Because what they share is a basic belief in their masculinity – a basic belief that US society is off the rails.”

“This is no surprise to us,” said Emperor Kuo, host and co-founder of the Sinica Podcast, which discusses current affairs in China. “I know these people, I know what they’re about. Even this latest wave of anti-Asian hate crimes that you think might have ripped you out of your admiration for these racists and crypto-fascists like the Proud Boys – it just has strengthened their faith. “