How We Got Here and How We Get Out
Kenyon Farrow, a long-term writer and movement strategist, joins Ejeris on The Fascism Barometer to discuss the history of fascist and authoritarian politics in the United States. Kenyon also lays out some ideas on how we can get out of this mess, including what actions individuals, movement organizations, and elected officials should undertake in the short and long term.About Kenyon: “Kenyon Farrow is a writer, editor, and strategist whose work has long focused on public health and infectious disease with a focus on racial, gender and economic justice. Kenyon is the Communications Director with AVAC. He is the former Managing Director of Advocacy and Organizing with PrEP4All, and also has served as senior editor of TheBody.com & TheBodyPro.com and U.S. & Global Health Policy Director with Treatment Action Group (TAG). He currently serves on the boards of the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, Partners for Dignity & Rights.In addition to his political work, Kenyon is a prolific essayist and author. He is the co-editor of the book Letters From Young Activists: Today’s Rebels Speak Out. His work has also appeared in many anthologies including Healing Justice Lineages, Crisis and Care: Queer Responses to a Global Pandemic, Abolition For The People (edited by Colin Kaepernick), Spirited: Affirming the Soul of Black Lesbian and Gay Identity, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough, We Have Not Been Moved: Resisting Racism and Militarism in 21st Century America, and Black Gay Genius: Answering Joseph Beam’s Call. His work has also appeared in publications such as Medium, POZ, The Atlantic, OUT, BET.com, The Columbus Dispatch,TheGrio, Colorlines, Logo, ReWire News, City Limits, HuffPost, and The American Prospect.Kenyon has been hailed for his work by numerous institutions including Out Magazine’s “Out 100”, The Advocate magazine’s “40 Under 40″, POZ Magazine’s “The POZ 100”, The Roots’s “20 Black LGBT Movers and Shakers”, and Black Entertainment Television which designated him a “Modern Black History Hero.”Resources:ReadingWikipedia, “COINTELPRO”Zinn Education Project, Ursula Wolfe-Rocca “Why We Should Teach About the FBI’s War on the Civil Rights Movement”Catalyst Project’s“Trouble Makers Guide Principles for Racial Justice Activists in the Face of State Repression.”This guide gives information on the history of repression of activists in the US and information on how to fight it. V-Dem Institute,“Democracy Report 2025: 25 Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped?” ListeningInterested in hearing even more about the history of fascist and authoritarian movements in the United States? Check out the Anti-Authoritarian Podcast’s episode with Suzanne Pharr.ActionAttend Trans Day of Visibility Building Power and Solidarity Across Generations, on Monday March 31 at 7pm ET/6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PT, hosted by Transgender Law Center, GLAAD, and moreAttend the Women’s March’s: Mass Organizing Call: Gender and Fascism on Monday, March 31 | 7pm ET/ 6pm CT/ 5pm MT/ 4pm PTJoin the Women’s March and the 50501 Movement at People’s Veto Day on April 5th, 2025 in Washington DC and local actions around the countryLearn about and organize ICE watch and immigrant defense teams in your community! Attend Siembra NC’strainings, and download the toolkit!Find, join, and support a mutual aid network through the All of US Directory, a sortable database that seeks to make it possible for newly activated people to easily connect with organizing and mutual aid efforts.Learn and take a variety of actions with Choose Democracy’s guide, “What can I do to fight this coup?”Attend Media Justice’s political education series WTF: The Rise of the Tech Broligarchy, a biweekly show examining the actions of the Tech Broligarchy, the implications of their agenda, and how to resist it.You can find the tools you need to fight fascism at our Resource Hub.Connect with Ejeris DixonAnd when you feel the pressure, share this pod, and visit fascismbarometer.orgPodcast production by Phil SurkisIntro Music by Meklit HaderoThe Fascism Barometer Podcast is an Ejerie Labs Project. Thank you for joining the movement.
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