The Fascism Barometer

Ejeris Dixon welcomes abolitionist safety practitioner Che Johnson-Long and technologist-lawyer Ken Montenegro back to The Fascism Barometer for a grounded, practical guide to resisting in a fast-shifting landscape. They unpack how fascism feeds on panic and isolation—and how all of us can respond when we examine risk, create shared tools, and take care of each other. Homework includes: broaden trusted information sources, join an ...

In the second half of this vital conversation, host Ejeris Dixon and movement strategist Tarso Ramos go beyond diagnosing the rise of fascism—they map out what we must do to resist it. From learning lessons of South Africa’s Freedom Charter and United Democratic Front to organizing a “bigger we” capable of defeating fascism and authoritarianism, Ramos shares both cautionary tales and hopeful strategies. This episode insists that th...

In part one of this wide-ranging two-part episode, Ejeris Dixon welcomes Tarso Ramos back to The Fascism Barometer. Ramos, a seasoned researcher of fascist, authoritarian, and supremacist movements, shares how his family’s escape from Brazil’s military dictatorship shaped his lifelong fight against fascism. He draws chilling parallels between past regimes and today’s U.S. political landscape, breaking down the accelerating pace of ...

In this profound episode, Ejeris Dixon sits down with healing justice visionary Erica Woodland to explore how fascism is impacting our mental health and our capacity to organize. With a background in psychotherapy and decades of movement work, Erica discusses the emotional toll of surviving and resisting while fascism rises overwhelmingly. Ejeris and Erica grapple with what it really means to fight fascism without abandoning oursel...

What does the expansion of policing, imprisonment, and surveillance reveal about the rise of fascism? Host Ejeris Dixon sits down with long-time organizer, activist, and author Rachel Herzing to unpack the interlocking systems of state violence known as the prison industrial complex. Herzing, director of the Yarrow Institute and co-author of How to Abolish Prisons, connects the dots between rising fascist power, the racism and viol...

This edition of The Fascism Barometer finds host Ejeris Dixon sitting down with Cristina Jiménez Moreta—bestselling author, MacArthur Genius Fellow, and co-founder of United We Dream—for a timely conversation on how fascism shows up in the everyday lives of immigrant communities. Cristina reflects on her own journey from Ecuador to the U.S. and speaks to the experiences of immigrants who flee authoritarian and fascist regimes, only...

Host Ejeris Dixon is joined by lifelong educator and organizer, Lumumba Bandele to unpack what fascism looks like through the lived experiences of Black communities in the U.S. — and why we must recognize its current and historic manifestations. From front porch conversations in Bed-Stuy to lessons learned from global solidarity movements, Lumumba offers grounded wisdom on the victories that Black communities have won against state...

In this urgent episode of The Fascism Barometer, host Ejeris Dixon sits down with renowned activist and organizer Linda Sarsour for a powerful conversation on fascism, Palestinian liberation, and the meaning of true solidarity. With over two decades of movement work, Sarsour offers a masterclass on what it means to resist fascism, uplift human dignity, and defend communities under siege. Linda shares why the Palestinian liberation ...

In this urgent and clarifying episode, Ejeris Dixon sits down with Shane Burley—journalist, scholar, author of Fascism Today: What it is and How to End It, and co-author of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism—to unpack what it means for social justice movements when fascists control the government, and what to expect of their next moves.  They also discuss the dangerous manipulation of antisemitism i...

In this episode of The Fascism Barometer, host Ejeris Dixon is joined by renowned activist, narrative strategist, and speaker Malkia Devich-Cyril for a wide-ranging conversation that connects the rise of fascism to collective grief, Black liberation, and the emotional landscape of organizing within repressive times.

You can find the tools you need to fight fascism at our Resource Hub.

Connect with Malkia Devich-Cyril and Movement Inn...

In this powerful episode of The Fascism Barometer, host Ejeris Dixon welcomes Maurice Mitchell, the National Director of the Working Families Party, for a conversation that dissects rising fascism through a compelling and relatable metaphor: the family cookout. Together, they explore what it means when someone seizes power simply because they can, and how everyday people can push back through collective action.  From the failures o...

In this episode of The Fascism Barometer, host Ejeris Dixon welcomes Shelby Chestnut, the Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center (TLC) and the first Native Trans leader to head a national LGBTQ organization. They dive into the current landscape of anti-trans legislation, and how Trans communities are organizing in the face of fascist tactics. Shelby shares how TLC is responding through litigation, safety planning, communi...

While we work on the next episode of The Fascism Barometer (out next week!), we have another outstanding podcast to share with you from our friends over at Convergence. The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast with Scot Nakagawa and Sue Hyde. This episode of The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast features Scot and Sue sitting down with Suzanne Pharr, a Southern queer feminist and anti-racist organizer, strategist, writer, community organizer, and ed...

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 play in the short and long term.

You can find the tools you need to fight fascism at our...

As we prepare to roll out season 2 of The Fascism Barometer, we wanted to share a podcast from our friends over at Convergence. The podcast is called Block & Build, hosted by Cayden Mak. 

This featured episode was originally published on December 13th, 2024, and Cayden graciously invited me to be one of the guests. This episide explores the history of creeping fascist trends in our society and politics and how we all should think ab...

Author, organizer, and political strategist Alicia Garza joins the Fascism Barometer to discuss the impact of rising fascism on our lives and political strategy.  Alicia and Ejeris discuss what we need to change about movement building and ourselves to push back against fascist advances.  

You can find the tools you need to fight fascism at our Resource Hub.

Connect with Ejeris Dixon

And when you feel the pressure, share this pod, an...

Che Johnson-Long and Ken Montenegro, two longtime community security and safety practitioners, join Ejeris Dixon on the Fascism Barometer to discuss how to increase our safety in the face of rising fascism.  Ejeris, Che, and Ken discuss safety planning tips for individuals and organizations, including resistance and survival strategies that can be combined to make us safer in the short and long term.

You can find the tools you need ...

Isaac Ontiveros joins the Fascism Barometer to break down the types of organizational collaborations that are needed in the US to defeat fascism.  Isaac and Ejeris discuss coalitions, broad fronts, and united fronts, and what it takes to build and maintain them.  Ejeris and Isaac also discuss strategies folks have used to defeat fascist movements and the unlikely partnerships that can happen.

You can find the tools you need to fight...

Ejeris discusses the Make America Great Again (MAGA) Coalition with Tarso Ramos, long-time researcher and activist challenging the right wing.  Tarso gives us a breakdown of various members of the coalition and the uneasy alliances that it includes.  Ejeris reviews the latest news and political terrain post-election and talks about what it means to continue to monitor the Fascism Barometer after the 2024 US election and what's need...