Being called a fascist

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Being called a fascist is a pejorative, is it not?
When applied to me, I consider it a personal insult/attack.
What are the rules regarding using the term "fascist", against other members, here on WP?

In the past I heard that "if the shoe fits" then it's not a personal attack.

I believe the same rule of thumb applies to being called a racist.

And if I consider I am not espousing fascist views, and I find being called a fascist personally offencive?
What then?

"Fascist" is a pejorative, right?

Didn't Alex Plank come up with a general rule that it's not an insult (or libel) if it's true? If so then I suppose it would be up to the moderators to make the call on a case by case basis.

I think that was about being a racist.
Not sure about the fascist insult.

If someone is going to call me a fascist, they *must* provide a reason why they think that, or it will be deemed as a personal attack, right.
And personal attacks are against the rulz.
Simply my having a different opinion is not a valid reason to insult me, surely.

My interpretation:
It's an insult and should be avoided/moderated.
If "the shoe fits the foot", then there must be some previous stuff that should have been moderated - otherwise it's an unfounded accusation.
An unfounded accusation is in a grey area between "wrong" (allowed by the rules) and "attack" (forbidden by the rules). Grey areas usually need case-by-case approach.

To stay on the safe side, avoid judging people ("you're <something bad>"), judge opinions or behaviors ("it's <something bad>") instead.

That is what I kinda think, like it would be better to say like 'hey that seems kind of fascist' and explain why rather than like 'you are a fascist f**k you'. Particularly here since it is an autism forum and some people may have some trouble entirely articulating ideas in a way everyone understands them. As well us autistic people can struggle with that a bit.

On the other hand I also visit reddit frequently and you do get some real nazi and white supremacist as*holes on there and does no good to try and be civil with them.

The problem is, some people have difficulty with being rational/objective.
Some people seem to be consumed by their emotional needs to the point of misunderstanding/misinterpreting what is being said.

Agreed.
If one can't articulate why one thinks someone is a fascist, perhaps one should not say it at all.



Absolutely.
There are a***holes on either side to the political divide.

But I am convinced there are no neo-nazis posting on WP.

None of us is ever free of it. Even the most brilliant mind in the world does not have perfect knowledge.
Ability to realise your own biases is a rare quality, even among the most intelligent people.

I think if someone says you are one, maybe rethink of your ideologies?

I didn't see that post since I haven't been here much lately.

My observation is, people surprisingly often jump to conclusions when assigning ideologies to others.
It's particularily problematic for those who feel general urge to ask uncomfortable questions - they typically get interpreted as opposing to whoever they talk to.

It is recently stated WP policy that calling someone a racist is considered purely descriptive and not considered a personal attack. There are no guidelines for calling someone a fascist as far as I know.

Both terms can be used used in an objective way but both are usually used as an insult as both ways of thinking are widely considered evil and very negatively reflects on the person being described that way. IMHO the recent clarification of policy opened up a can of worms. Fortunately, through the goodwill of members and improved moderation, the potential negative ramifications of the clarified policy have been mitigated. But IMHO the policy is a loophole through which bad things may happen.

Policy or no policy my advice is not to call WP members "fascist" or "racist". Limit it to public figures.

Pepe is no fascist, not even close.

Ah yeah I forgot the accusation had to be backed up.

If one person calls you 'ugly', then you can just laugh it off.

If two people call you 'ugly', then maybe you should check your make-up.

If three people call you 'ugly', then maybe you should wear a mask.

(I do not remember the exact quote ... it had something to do with donkeys and saddles ...)

In my opinion, they should be treated the same.

• Calling a person fascist/racist/sexist/socialist/whatever should be called out as wrong by a moderator.

• Calling a person's statements fascist/racist/sexist/socialist/whatever should not incur any moderatorial wrath.

Simple.