Monster of Their Own Making

Monster of Their Own Making by Jack Buckby

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This book draws heavily on author Jack Buckby's “lived experience” as a member of the far-right. Buckby is a working-class Englishman. He became attracted to nationalist politics in his teens because he saw such politics as the only political ideology addressing his working-class concerns with British culture and working-class unemployment. He became a member and activist of the British Nationalist Party, saw the racism and antisemitism that existed in a minority - but not all - of the members of the BNP, saw his working-class friends radicalize into a far-right terrorist, and, then, he backed away from the BNP and far-right politics into moderate populism, what we in America would call conservatism or Trumpism.

He brings a message to conservatives from his experience: there really are far-right terrorists and the number is growing.

Based on his own experience of being marginalized and attacked as far-right by institutions, including the media and universities, that will not distinguish between far-right racist radicalism and conventional populist national pride, he diagnosis the problem as largely growing out of the increasing radicalism of the left. He points out the sociological studies that show that while conservatives have essentially not changed their position on policies, the left has moved significantly leftward in its demand, closing the “Overton Window” against the reasonable demands of people like him.

Thus, in Britain and America, we have politicians who treat anyone who wants to limit immigration as equivalent to the Nazis. The media and institutions, including social media, treat such people as Nazis. Reasoned discussions between the political sides no longer occur. Accordingly, there is a minority of white young men, who grow up being villified because of their race, class and attitudes, who decide that if they have the name, they must really be far-right.

Interestingly, Buckby points out that while there are “principled” far-rightists, most people on the left and the right are simply looking for an identity in a culture that has uprooted, denied, and deracinated their British identity. These people could easily - and sometimes do - swing between Fascism and Communism. Buckby probably isn't aware but he has recapitulated the main thesis from Eric Hoffer's “The True Believer.”

Buckby didn't radicalize like his schoolyard “lads.” He believes that one reason is that he has Jewish ancestry, which marked him out among the kooks of the right-wing, and, thereby, exposed him to their nuttery. Also, in this book, at least, he comes across as a fairly moderate and decent person, but many of his friends are now serving time, and he realizes that it could as easily have been him.

Buckby offers several suggestions for fighting the far-right. First, conservatives should acknowledge that it exists and try to stop denying its existence out of fear of contamination; they should condemn far-right terrorism when it happens. Second, liberals need to speak up and take back their position from the far-left nutjobs. Buckby also argues that the suppression of the far-right on social media and in laws should end since that simply provides far-right groups and individuals with the proof they need that they really are being persecuted, if not by “the Jews” of their fantasies.

One of his suggestions is near to my heart in this crazy time of 2020: “Stop Destroying Everything We Love.” He writes:

“Stop Destroying Everything We Love

As if calling everyone a racist wasn't bad enough, radical progressives have embarked on a mission to destroy everything that most normal people love. Whether it's popular culture, education, or even our diets, we are being forced to live our lives differently and screamed at if we protest.”

He offers this example:

“In the UK, classical music concerts are held daily in central London in an event known as The Proms. People from all over the country gather in London to embrace this tradition that dates back to 1895. The Last Night of the Proms is perhaps the most prominent event of the whole summer season, bringing people together with patriotic songs that celebrate Britain's cultural and historical significance. It is a chance for the British people to gather at the Royal Albert Hall, at other screening events throughout London, and even in their own homes to wave the Union Flag, sing the national anthem, and feel an emotional connection to our beloved country and Queen. It is one of the few remaining events that allow the British people to feel truly proud of who they are, but in 2019, that changed.

Once an event that could bring people together despite their political views, the concert was hijacked by a self-described “queer girl with a nose ring,” Jamie Barton. As the American mezzo-soprano sang “Rule, Britannia!” she decided against the traditional waving of a Union Flag and instead held an LGBT flag high in the air. Singing one of the most recognizable patriotic British songs, this American far-left ideologue ruined the entire event for a significant section of the British public. This flag represents far more than just equality for gay people, but an ideology that continues to change the parameters in which we are allowed to speak. It represents a forceful left-wing movement that seeks to rewrite history and rob us of our pride.

These people are taking away our favorite TV shows and movies, rewriting our history, denying our children the chance to learn about their ancestors, and robbing us of the few opportunities we have left to celebrate who we are.”

[Buckby, Jack. Monster of Their Own Making: How the Far Left, the Media, and Politicians are Creating Far-Right Extremists . Bombardier Books. Kindle Edition. ]

I write this at a time when every professional sport is kneeling to Black Lives Matter, Black Lives Matter slogans are being painted on playing surfaces, professional football is permitting players to wear the name of a rapist who is (a) black and (b) was shot by police for resisting arrest.

And the audience for the NBA playoffs has declined by one-third.

This is an easily-read, personal book, rather than a scientific treatise. It offers a worm's eye view of the issue, but seems to be very anecdotal. Yet, “lived experience” is important. My take-away from the book is to pay more attention to the far-right threat than I have, albeit the reality is that the vast majority of violence comes from the left.

If the right ramps up to a similar degree, then we will truly be living in Weimar Days.