Guest Column: Titus Maximus, Jr. 30 years old, Richmond, Va

This is  not an attack on any one individual. The purpose of this piece is to highlight and make you aware of some of the tactics being utilized that have led to what I consider the Radicalization of Ordinary American Citizens. I hope readers keep an open mind and consider what is said here.

Full Disclosure: I consider myself to be Politically Moderate. I donate to Democrat and Republican Campaigns. I support many issues that are hotbed topics and at the end of the day, I am “Politically Homeless.” I’m a Liberty Loving Tree Hugger who thinks there should be zero restrictions on the Second Amendment while simultaneously being Anti-War, Pro-Life, and would break up Amazon, Google, and Disney in a heartbeat. With this fully disclosed, let’s jump into a little History Lesson.

During the Korean War, American P.O.W’s captured by the Chinese found themselves in fairly lenient camps compared to the North Korean run camps. There was little physical coercion and even escaped soldiers were bribed with food opposed to captured with force. Chinese Camps had multiple exercises to gradually turn soldiers against their home government. They would start by having soldiers state little criticisms of the United States, something as innocuous as, “Not everyone in America is well off.” This would snowball over time as the soldiers began to change their beliefs and internalize a new role as a critic of America.

Prisoners would be asked to make list of all the problems in America. These lists would then be broadcast to everyone in the camp and even sometimes used as propaganda on an International level. Soldiers would be bribed to copy down Communists texts and to write essays supporting China in the War. The Chinese Prison Camps framed all of this as, “We know you Americans don’t believe this, but do it and you will be treated nicely.” As time went on, the soldiers felt more and more favorable to the Chinese Communist Party.

You are probably asking yourself, “How could young American men be swayed so easily?” It comes down to how we view ourselves. By broadcasting a soldier’s problems with America to the camp, everyone becomes aware of your personal thoughts. By writing out problems or even copying a Communist text, you are actively self-reflecting. The soldier’s identity ceased to be that of a Prisoner of War and it was shifted into that of a critic. They were being rewarded for being critics of America and advocates of the Chinese Communist Party. More importantly, by having their views publicly aired, everyone in the camp started to view them differently as well. When everyone is aware of your beliefs, you began to identify with those beliefs more than you would your occupation, age, or gender. Identities started to shift and radicalize as these soldiers began to view themselves as Anti-American and Pro-Communist. Little by little, they drank the punch.

If this sounds familiar, many of you have been doing it for the past few weeks. Innocuous phrases like, “Black Lives Matter” and “Of course, I’m Antifa, who isn’t anti-fascist?” are gateways to realms you should never dwell in. You drink the punch by saying what you think is something everyone believes. Posting a Black Square or a Meme is a stepping stone in a process of gradual radicalization. You are broadcasting to the world a new identity that you do not fully understand. This just opens a Pandora’s Box of Radicalization. Have you read the Black Lives Matter website where they advocate for the destruction of the traditional family? Are you aware that in Germany, the birthplace of Antifa, that the very liberal Germany government considers Antifa to be an extremist group and actively monitors 47 different Antifa groups due to their hatred of the German constitution? Take some time to learn about causes and groups before promoting them and god forbid financing them! Only fools rush in!

Since May 25^th, I have watched my peers promote and advocate for people and causes that I find frightening. I am seeing celebrities posting Farrakhan speeches with rampant anti-Semitism.  I watched a city council vote to abolish their police department. Online Mobs are “canceling” anyone with any nuanced opinion. People I know are promoting individuals that I know for a fact are in Antifa and are blissfully unaware that Antifa sees the average Liberal as a pawn. I have often seen Antifa openly declare “Liberals getting the bullet too.” Statues are being torn down by rioters and local governments. This Marxist Revolution is somehow sponsored by every corporation trying to make money off this cause. More importantly, where is all the money being donated even going to? At what point does everyone just realize that they are all just being manipulated? Little by little, so many normal people I know have been completely radicalized into hating law enforcement, promoting dangerous ideologies, and funding terrorism. As this insanity continues, I feel more and more like August Landmesser, the lone man who refused to salute.

If there is any question as to whether the horrors of yesteryears can occur again, that answer has been sufficiently answered the past few weeks. “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it” We are all at the mercy of the Mob.