Long Before Today America Confronted Homegrown Fascists And Quietly Erased The Record

Masked law enforcement agents execute immigration raids, while National Guard troops maintain a presence in U.S. cities, provoking protests that decry their actions as a “fascist takeover.” White supremacists openly express racist and antisemitic ideologies, prompting the critical question: Is America on a path toward fascism? Some historians, rooted in the idea of American exceptionalism—the belief that the U.S. is unique and morally superior—contend that fascism can’t take root here, reflecting Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 commentary on creeping fascism. Although extremist movements, like the German American Bund and Ku Klux Klan, thrived in the past, their influence has faded from collective memory. Local communities often perceive this dark legacy as insignificant, despite the ordinary citizens who supported these groups. The narrative we shape reflects present concerns, and while some communities commemorate resistance, the history of homegrown extremism remains largely overlooked. Understanding these connections helps illuminate America's democratic vulnerabilities. Arlene Stein, Distinguished Sociology Professor, Rutgers University.