CHICAGO—Thousands of attendees gathered over the weekend for the “Socialism 2026 Conference,” which concluded Sunday. While the event drew a wide range of left-wing activists, it also produced a series of statements that have ignited sharp criticism from conservative commentators. According to a report from American Thinker, several speakers used the platform to attack the concept of physical fitness, calling it a tool of fascism and capitalism, and went so far as to advocate for what they termed “dysgenic” ideals.
Rejecting Fitness as ‘Fascist’
One of the most talked-about moments came from a masked speaker identified by American Thinker as Beatrice Adler-Bolton. In a video clip from the conference, Adler-Bolton argued that socialists must abandon what she called the “fantasy of being fitter than the fascists.” She contended that “fitness is a measure of relative disposability under capitalism” and warned against becoming “more useful to the ruling order.”
Adler-Bolton went further, stating that the left should not strive to become “fitter, more eugenic.” Instead, she declared, “In fact, the more dysgenic, the better…I think.” Her remarks, delivered while wearing a mask, drew immediate attention and criticism. American Thinker’s Eric Utter, who covered the event, highlighted the speaker’s use of the term “dysgenic,” which is typically defined as biologically defective or deficient. Utter questioned the logic of striving for deficiency, writing, “This is what we should strive for? The more defective and deficient, the better?”
Accusations of ‘Body Fascism’
The conference also featured Da’Shaun L. Harrison, described by American Thinker as a speaker of “large proportions.” Harrison told attendees that “body fascism is not some relic of the past, it is an active feature of modern, imperialist regimes.” He expanded on this idea, claiming that “every time there is a call for sovereignty by state powers with the intent to maintain borders, this is body fascism.” He also said that “every time black flesh is wrangled, dismembered, abused…this is body fascism.”
Harrison further asserted that “the policing of black, fat flesh anchors entire systems of governance.” His remarks drew skepticism from Utter, who challenged the speaker to name a specific government anchored by such policing. Utter also noted the apparent contradiction in criticizing border enforcement while simultaneously decrying the treatment of black bodies, asking whether Harrison would also oppose abortion and transgender procedures given his strong language about bodily integrity.
Reactions and Implications
Utter’s coverage reflects a broader conservative reaction to the conference’s more extreme rhetoric. He expressed disbelief at the idea that rejecting fitness could be seen as a political virtue, suggesting that a disdain for physical or mental well-being is itself “politically revealing.” He also pointed to the irony of a speaker wearing a mask—often associated with health precautions—while dismissing the pursuit of fitness as inherently fascistic.
The conference, which organizers described as a gathering for socialists and progressives, included a wide array of panels and discussions. Yet it was these particular remarks that have generated the most attention online, with critics using them to paint the broader left as anti-science and anti-individual. Supporters, however, argue that the speakers were drawing attention to the ways in which societal standards of health and fitness can be weaponized against marginalized groups.
American Thinker’s report does not include response from the conference organizers or the individual speakers. The publication, known for its conservative perspective, used the incident to criticize the Democratic Socialists of America and similar groups, suggesting that such rhetoric aligns with their candidates and platforms.
As the conference comes to a close, the debate over its messages is likely to continue. Whether these statements represent a fringe view or a growing trend within the left remains a point of contention. For now, the images and clips from the event—particularly those involving Adler-Bolton and Harrison—are spreading rapidly across social media, fueling discussions about the role of fitness, bodily autonomy, and political ideology in modern activism.
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/09/socialist-conference-attendees-say-the-more-deficient-the-person-the-better/