Seeing Clearly in a Time That Calls for Courage
There are moments in life when silence no longer feels honest.
For a while now I’ve tried to keep the focus of Rooted Wisdom on what brings us together — nature, self-trust, community, compassion, and the deep remembering of what it means to live in alignment with life.
But there are times when remaining silent about what is happening in our country no longer feels responsible.
For me, what is unfolding in the United States has moved far beyond what we traditionally call “politics.” This is not about parties or policy preferences. It is about the deeper principles of who we are as a country, the protection of democratic values, and the kind of future we are creating together.
At its heart, Rooted Wisdom is about life-affirming values — empathy, dignity, truth, courage, community, and the belief that each human being carries inherent worth. The movement we are witnessing rise in our culture stands in direct opposition to those principles.
I believe it is time for us to use the term American Fascism, not as a dramatic insult, but as a way to see something more clearly in the culture so that we can respond wisely.
When we can name what we are facing, we can meet it with clarity, courage, and love rather than confusion or fear.
Recently I read a powerful Substack essay by Stephen Dinan that articulates this moment with striking clarity. I’m sharing a summary below, along with a link to his work for anyone who would like to read more or subscribe to his writings.
Key Ideas from Stephen Dinan’s Essay on “American Fascism”
Stephen Dinan argues that what we are witnessing in the United States today fits the historical pattern of fascist movements, and that recognizing this clearly is essential if we are to respond effectively.
He explains that fascism is fundamentally about the consolidation of power. It centralizes authority around a dominant figure or movement and often operates through cruelty, intimidation, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
In his view, the MAGA movement represents the current expression of what he calls American Fascism — a force that did not originate with one person but has long existed as undercurrents within American culture. Donald Trump, he argues, became the figure who recognized these currents and organized them into a political movement capable of amassing power.
Dinan describes fascism as anti-life in nature. It resists empathy because empathy limits cruelty, and cruelty is one of the tools used to accumulate and maintain power. In fascist systems, corporate power often merges with state power, media narratives are manipulated, and opposition is punished.
He also points to the growing use of intimidation, attacks on democratic institutions, assaults on the press, and the consolidation of political and economic power as signs that the United States is moving further along this trajectory.
A sobering part of his argument is that even if a particular leader disappears from the scene, the underlying movement could remain. Once a movement has tasted this level of power, it rarely dissolves on its own.
Yet Dinan emphasizes that the response cannot be fear.
Fear, he argues, is one of the psychological fuels of fascism. When people become fearful, disoriented, and overwhelmed, they are easier to manipulate and control.
Instead, he calls for five constructive responses:
Recognize the reality clearly rather than minimizing or denying what is happening.
Refuse to act from fear, choosing courage and grounded clarity instead.
Participate actively in democracy — through public voice, civic engagement, protest, voting, and supporting leaders who uphold democratic principles.
Anticipate what may come, so people can respond thoughtfully rather than react in shock.
Create and embody a better future, offering a compelling vision of a more compassionate and life-affirming society.
Dinan ultimately expresses confidence that the majority of Americans who care about democracy, dignity, and the well-being of others have the capacity to steer the country toward a more hopeful path — but only if we are willing to see clearly and act with courage.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing this not from a place of anger, but from a place of deep love for this country and for humanity.
At Rooted Wisdom we talk often about listening deeply, staying grounded, and acting from our highest values. Those principles matter just as much in civic life as they do in our personal lives.
This moment calls for clarity, compassion, courage, and community.
It calls for us to stand together — not in hatred, but in love for life, for truth, for democracy, and for the dignity of all people.
If you’d like to read Stephen Dinan’s full essay or subscribe to his writing, you can find it here:
Reading Dinan’s reflections left me sitting with both the seriousness of this moment and the deeper question of how we choose to respond — not from fear or division, but from the grounded values that shape who we are and the future we are building together.
At Rooted Wisdom we often talk about remembering who we are and standing in alignment with life. That includes how we show up in the world around us. My hope is that we continue to meet this moment with open eyes, grounded hearts, and courageous compassion — supporting one another, protecting the democratic values that allow communities like ours to flourish, and choosing love and wisdom over fear. The future we create together will grow from the clarity, care, and courage we bring to this moment.
Heather E. Daly, Ph.D., is the founder of Rooted Wisdom, a nature-based women’s empowerment and life coaching community in Rochester, NY.
