Beyond the "Twilight Zone"

Shannon Bohrer

(8/2023) Our diversity of beliefs in our political environment can at times appear incompatible and often antagonistic. Describing these differences as confusing is an understatement. The old science fiction television show, "The Twilight Zone," was more understandable. The use of words like "Woke" and "Antifa," with different meanings, rather than the normally ascribed meanings, does not make sense. Who decided the unconventional meanings that seems nonsensical, and why? Each side is entrenched with the belief that they are correct in their actions and beliefs while the other side – is incorrect and/or maybe just uninformed.

Any attempt to inform and educate the other side about one’s beliefs is hindered before it starts. For communication to exist, there needs to be some common understanding of words and facts. If one does not believe in science and the advocacy and benefits of inoculations that can save lives, how can a conversation exist around the science of a pandemic? Global warming is real, but only if you believe in science. There was and is only one side to the WWII holocaust.

Of importance, to communicate there needs to be an understanding of the definition of words. Even the term "alternative facts" which now has a place in our vocabulary, is confusing. Words that were in use with common definitions are now questionable. The word "Woke" is a good example. Woke, when used as an adjective means "alert to and concerned about social injustice and discrimination." According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, woke is "aware of social and political issues, especially racism." Another meaning would be that if one is woke - they are awake and aware.

However, the word Woke, is often used in a derogatory, or disparaging manner, describing people that "are too easily upset about these issues, or talk too much about them in a way that does not change anything." Governor Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, signed into law the "Individual Freedom Act," which forbids the teaching of racism, discrimination, or even white male privilege. Accordingly in Florida, the act is often referred to as the "Stop Woke Act," because woke has a connotation of "Wrong to our Kids and Employees." I could not find that definition in any acceptable references.

When Governor DeSantis signed the "Individual Freedom Act," into law, the law did not add or even protect any freedoms, instead the law limited freedoms in education. The use of the word "Freedom" in a law that imposes regulation on what can be taught, is an oxymoron. The governor also wrote a book entitled "The Courage to be Free." In the book, he talks about a "post constitutional order," because of overreach by the government. What is a post constitutional order? Does he want to do away with our constitution? Maybe we could agree that the "Individual Freedom Act" and the "Courage to be Free" are contradictions of the word "freedom." The Individual Freedom Act seems like an overreach of government. Of course, to understand this one must be aware, or woke.

Another confusing word is "Antifa." For many the connotation of antifa is that groups of individuals that lean far left and have anarchist tendencies. When the insurrection took place at the Capital, many described the insurrections as members of Antifa. The right leaning news outlets, conveyed the theme that undercover members of the FBI, fomented the insurrection with the help of Antifa. The premise that the insurrection was the work of FBI informants’ and people that identify as Antifa, was short lived. With the numerous investigations, the congressional hearing and with over one thousand individuals charged, none were reported as antifa.

The real definition of Antifa is "a person or group actively opposing fascism." The word antifa is an abbreviation of the German word "antifaschistish." There were Germans and others that opposed Hitlers fascist government. Fascist governments limit the freedoms of the populace and are run by dictators and autocrats. Fascism was and continues to be an enemy of Democracy.

My father in-law was in Paton’s third army in WWII, fighting fascism. He was in an infantry unit and marched into Germany. My father was flying B-25’s in the 5th United States Army Air Force in WWII, also fighting fascism. Both men were not just fighting fascism, they were defending our democracy, and they were antifaschistish. Why would anyone disparage someone that identifies as antifa, someone that is against fascism and believes in democracy? That is confusing, unless they believe a dictatorial government is preferable to a democracy?

Back to the January 6th insurrection when it was reported that many of the insurrections were Antifa and were led by FBI undercover officers. With this belief, the insurrection was vilified by segments of the national media, and the insurrection was a crime. However, after it was determined, that the FBI did not plan the insurrection and none of the over one thousand persons charged in the insurrection identified as antifa, the perception of the event changed. Now the same radical news casts are portraying it as a normal tourist visit, with just a few radicals causing minor trouble.

A disturbing fact, the new-portrayed image of the non-antifa persons charged with their involvement in the January 6th insurrection has morphed into patriotism. Many of the same media outlets that vilified the insurrections, when it was believed they were antifa, now refer the those charged as patriots. Many current and former elected officials have called for pardons for many of those convicted. There are even a few presidential candidates that have indicated that they may issue pardons if elected. It does not make sense that if the insurrections were members of Antifa, they should be charged with crimes. But if they were not Antifa, they magically become patriots. Again, the "The Twilight Zone," was more sensical.

When laws are passed and the word free or freedom is used, it often denotes some limitations on our freedoms. Educational freedoms have been curtailed, as to what courses can be taught. Books have been banned, limiting what people can read and women’s health has been limited. In some states, doctors are hesitant to even perform accepted medical procedures on women, for fear of being arrested. And yet, many of the procedures are needed to save a life.

Ask yourself, why would anyone want to pass laws that reduce or even eliminate our freedoms? Of course, why would anyone not want to be woke, or aware, that democracy is preferred to fascism. These are confusing times.