I don’t wanna get all alarmist on you, but I think it’s time we channel some superhero energy here.

The X-Men were never just about cool powers and big fights. They were about standing up to fear, oppression, and people who think wiping out an entire group is a valid political stance. And, uh… have you looked around lately? Feels like we could use some of that mutant mindset right now. We’re not getting actual superheroes, so I guess that means it’s up to us.

Here’s what I’ve learned about Nazis and fascists thanks to the X-Men:

1. They Never Really Go Away

Fascism doesn’t die, it just mutates. Same ideology, different branding.

2. Complicity Keeps Them in Power 

Plenty of people didn’t call themselves Nazis during WWII, but they looked the other way. That’s how it happens.

3. Propaganda Fuels Their Movement 

Fear-mongering and misinformation are their best weapons. That’s how they convince people that entire groups are “the enemy.”

4. They Target the “Other” 

Jewish people, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, disabled people—fascists will always find a scapegoat.

5. They Use the Law to Justify Atrocities

They don’t start with mass violence. First, they make discrimination “legal.”

6. Resisting Them Comes at a Cost

People who stand up to fascism risk their jobs, safety, and even their lives. It’s never easy, but giving up is worse.

7. Some People Will Betray Their Own

Some will align with oppressors out of fear, self-interest, or even internalized hate. There were people who collaborated with the Nazis, even at the cost of their own communities. Today, you’ll still find people defending those who openly work against their rights and existence.

8. Technology Can Be Used for Oppression 

From IBM’s role in Nazi record-keeping to AI-driven surveillance and policing today, technology is never neutral. In the wrong hands, it becomes a tool for control, discrimination, and violence… always under the guise of “protection.”

9. “Good People” Can Still Be Dangerous

The road to hell is paved with people who think they’re doing the “right thing.” Just because something feels reasonable doesn’t mean it isn’t leading to dystopia.

10. Fascism Thrives on Fear, but So Does Hope 

Fear keeps people silent, isolated, and compliant. That’s why fascists rely on it. But hope, solidarity, and resistance are stronger. The only way to survive is to refuse to let fear win.

You don’t need superpowers to fight oppression, you just need conviction, resilience, and a willingness to act.

We can all be X-Men if we:

1. Expose the Lies
Call out propaganda, challenge false narratives, and make sure the truth is louder than their fear-mongering.

2. Protect the Vulnerable
Stand between oppressors and the oppressed. Show up, speak out, and offer real support.

3. Use Your Skills for Resistance
Every mutant has a unique power. So do you. Writers spread awareness, artists inspire change, tech people secure communication, organizers mobilize. Whatever you do best, put it to work.

4. Never Normalize Fascism
Hate isn’t “just politics.” Fascists count on people dismissing their rhetoric until it’s too late. Call it what it is. Every. Time.

5. Build Your Own Team
No one fights alone. Form communities, create networks of resistance, and have each other’s backs.

6. Train for the Fight
Knowledge is power, and so is knowing how to use it. Learn history, understand your rights, and build real-world skills. The X-Men have the Danger Room; we have education, activism, and preparation.

7. Disrupt Their Systems
Fascism isn’t just about individuals, it’s built into our laws, corporations, and institutions. Challenge it at every level. Fight discriminatory policies, cut off funding to those who enable hate, and push for real change.

8. Refuse to Be Intimidated
Fascists want you scared and silent. Don’t give them that power. Resistance has always come with risks, but backing down only makes them stronger.

9. Look Out for Each Other
No one fights alone. Mutual aid, community support, and checking in on each other are how movements survive and win.

10. Keep the Dream Alive
Even when it feels hopeless, hold on to the belief that a better world is possible. Hope is a weapon. Use it.

We may not have adamantium claws or telepathy, but we can still stand up, resist, and fight for a world where fascism loses.