Being called Antifa

I was first called “Antifa” in 2008. I was living and working as a missionary in Hamburg, Germany and, as a stranger in a strange land, spent a great deal of my day to day life observing the culture. I was taking the train on Labor Day (May 1) and I noticed that there were some demonstrations downtown. One of the unsettling things about this day was the prevalence of Nazi paraphernalia worn and carried by groups of young men. It was startling to me and frightening.

Later, I did some research and learned that on Labor Day, far-right groups and political parties, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), often hold demonstrations and rallies, even in politically and socially liberal cities like Hamburg. The far-right was growing and it was scary. So, processing as I usually do, I wrote a blog posrt about what I’d seen and heard, what I was feeling and how startling it was to this naive foreigner.

Soon after posting, I got an anonymous comment on my post. It was vile, threatening and called me a name I hadn’t heard before: Antifa. Because it seemed like a threat, I took the post down immediately. I can still feel the panic I expereinced - Who would want to threaten me? What did I say that was so offensive? I looked up “antifa” on Urban Dictionary and found it means Anti-Fascist.

Anti-Fascist? Isn’t that a good thing? I don’t support Fascism.

The way the term is being used now in the US, as a description of anyone who opposes the current administration; those who peacefully demonstrate; those who work for the abolishment of ICE and the cessation of violence in our communities; it feels like a threat.

I am not a terrorist, but I will utilize my right to free speech.

I am not violent, but I will stand up for those who are persecuted.

I am not a threat, except to those who want hate to win.

Vile and threatening comments will be deleted, but my voive will not be.