Despite the latest conspiracy theory that says antifascists killed Leo ‘Riefenstahl’ Stratton in the truck he rammed into a rock and caused to burst into flames (yes, they are going there now), there is in fact truth to part of that theory that we are not likely to mourn his passing. A writer who knew him well explains why.

Daniel Peckerwoods

It’s been about a week, since we heard about the death of Leo Stratton, and while many on the right mourn, I will not, Leo did not lead a life that was worth mourning as far as I am concerned.

Leo was a proud Trump supporter who lived a life that celebrated horrific things, a life that fought to take away freedoms, he fought to make this country less humane. Leo was often seen standing shoulder to shoulder with known racist and nativist, he worked with known rapists and klansmen.

He often liked to portray himself as a “victim” of immigrants and leftists taking away his rights as a white male, he delighted when those who stood up to his hate became victims of its violence.

I have seen this man yell some of the most foul things to ever come out of a humans mouth directed to women and people of color- only cause they made a choice to stand up to him and his hate.

The right wing is currently trying to make this human- a saint or a martyr of some crazy political cause, that he was a “warrior” who stood against “hate”. In the end, it’s a gaslight. He was a “warrior” in the same way neo-Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl was a warrior. He stood against hate in the same way the Klan stands against hate.

But I have learned from Leo’s life – even a douche may have something they can teach – and that is this: to make our lives count, that death may come at any moment, that in the blink of an eye we could be all done, to make what time we are given worthwhile. To live and love, to stand up to evil and fight for the right thing, to not hate or let our hearts and minds be consumed by hate. To make this World better while we are here, not that the World is better cause we are dead.