Violence isn't a long-term solution

Punching a Nazi is like eating an Oreo when you’re sad; it’s instant gratification that will actually do more harm than good in the long run. Sure, it will feel cathartic or even productive for a brief moment-but after you finish the sleeve (or your fascist opponent walks away with a bloody nose,) what happens next? In all likelihood, the Nazi will remain the exact same. It’s not as though being punched will change their worldviews or affect their actions. If anything, they may use the act of aggression perpetrated against them as a rallying cry for their comrades, or as “proof” that their opposition is more violent than they are. The real solution to this issue is far more complex and nuanced than standalone acts of aggression can address. To truly dismantle the fascist, white supremacist worldviews held by modern Nazis, we must focus on re-education rather than the vigilante justice system proposed by self-proclaimed Nazi-punchers. In this way, we can rise above the violence of their belief systems and secure our democratic values from the threat of fascism.