On Tyranny - Lesson 6: Beware *some* Paramilitary Groups

Lesson 6 is to beware of paramilitary groups. The notion is that governments generally try to keep a monopoly on violence. When you see paramilitary groups working outside of the law to support a leader or a cause with violence, it's often orchestrated by people in power to exploit lawless implementation of their agenda.

Snyder points out that Hitler's SA and SS paramilitary groups began as security tasked with removing opposition from the halls during his rallies. Eventually, they ran the concentration camps which were immune from the law aside from their paramilitary leadership. From there, during WWII, the SS sought to expand that reign to include entire countries under German occupation. Snyder asserts that paramilitary groups often begin as entities outside of the law, then infiltrate the police and military, and finally transform those spaces to their liking.

The United States certainly has much to contend with when it comes to paramilitary groups. White supremacist groups have found safety in organization from the dawn of our nation's conception. Most notably, the KKK terrorized entire communities and not only were the police willfully permissive, they were often directly involved in the terror as members of the organization. Today, there are a number of right-wing white supremacist groups gaining relevancy. The Proud Boys and Oath Keepers were both directly involved with the attempted coup at the capital on January 6th, 2021 and there's a significant connection between members of these groups and police and/or military. So we've already seen an infiltration of paramilitary groups into the police, and have for decades or more. The next step, according to Snyder, is the transformation of government institutions such as the police and military to the benefit of the agendas associated with these paramilitary groups. This doesn't seem like a lofty leap, especially considering the history of policing in the United States and its origin and association with slave catchers.

I do, however, also think of the Black Panther Party. They were a militant organization with an agenda for Black liberation in the 60's, but to equate them to the likes of the KKK would be egregious and inaccurate. They built community, fought for the rights and defense of their people, and implemented mutual aid for their members and their children. Despite the government's opposition and organized efforts to take out Black Panther leaders either by death or jail, we still enjoy its direct influence. If it weren't for the Black Panther Party we wouldn't have a free breakfast program in schools or Girls and Boys Clubs in our cities.

So how do we discern between a paramilitary group that might have a positive impact and one that could only serve a tyrant's rule? The distinction seems clear; do they advocate for oppression, or liberation? Do they serve a ruling party, or do they serve their communities by filling gaps left by a hateful or neglectful government and society? The government may seek to hold a monopoly on violence, but a willingness to defend one self isn't an inherently evil use of violence. Even as a pacifist by personal preference, I can acknowledge that violence exists in the world and if only oppressive powers are willing to employ it then the oppressed don't stand a chance.

This brings me to an interpretation of this lesson with some gray areas. Beware of paramilitary groups as potential hands tinkering in society for the benefit of a tyrant. But where open and diverse community can be found, find it. Where organizations espouse equality and mutual aid and community, support them. I won't condone unprompted violence, but I also won't condemn a fight for a better world. Be smart and intentional about where you offer your support and allegiance; make sure they stand for your values, and stand for those values with them.