How many feel unsafe where you live?

[OneGrassRoot]

Unsafe very specifically because of people we can now label as Trump cultists, though they've always been here; they're just emboldened and the numbers are now growing thanks to social media acting as a cult recruiter through QAnon and other avenues.

I ask because when Obama ran the first time, I had a pro-Obama sign in my yard. The next thing I know a neighbor was in my driveway SCREAMING about "muslins" and all the right-wing propaganda we're all too familiar with now. She makes it known that she blames me, personally, but also anyone like me for everything wrong with the world. She said on the Nextdoor platform that she hopes ISIS bombs our house.



I live in a suburb of Raleigh, but it's not that different from other areas I've lived in throughout various states, including PA, NJ, TX and AL. I've always been hyper-aware of their existence because of being raised in a KKK-adjacent environment. I'm like the white supremacist whisperer; can spot them a mile away.

Increasingly over the last four years, especially upon seeing what people say on social media, including sites like Nextdoor, I find I'm very leery of who I interact with. More specifically when I need an electrician or plumber or any type of skilled or unskilled help, I wish I knew where to find people who I deem more safe. That's certainly more important now with the whole mask vs anti-mask situation.

Basically, I find myself wishing for an Angie's List type of resource for anti-Trump, anti-QAnon, pro-BLM, pro-mask service providers.

Do you find yourself being concerned about the same, and wishing for something similar?

Granted, my experiences with Nazis and other white supremacists have been more extreme than average, so I'm inclined to think the worst of pro-Trump types (that they might sabotage something if they know my belief system), but with the cold civil war getting hotter, I would think more and more people might start to be concerned about this.

Or am I an anomaly?

I know where masks are mandatory many of these service providers wear masks, but many do so begrudgingly and probably would forego them if the customer was okay with it. I'd really just like to know if they're pro- or anti-mask. It would tell me so much about them and provide more comfort in using their services.

[beachbumbob]

1. I feel 99.9% safe in Central Illinois but taking zero risk

with wearing mask and using hand sanitizer

[OneGrassRoot]

3. You're very fortunate. That's great! n/t

[beachbumbob]

4. we have stupid in action but I ignore those people

most of america is relatively safe once you get outside of large urban areas but that doesn't mean relax the rules and that is where the mistakes been made all around in the south

karma will offer solutions

[dchill]

2. Most of us, I'm sure.

[OneGrassRoot]

29. I guess "safe" is subjective...

Most here have said they basically feel safe, but they don't want to do things like put political signs up, etc., which to me indicates one doesn't truly feel safe if you can't do something as basic as that without fear of...something unpleasant.

[captain queeg]

5. I feel pretty safe along those lines.

It’s still early but I used to see a great many trump signs out in front of houses. Not so much lately.

[Laelth]

6. I try to become active in local Democratic politics.

Then I ask for referrals from local party members.



-Laelth

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Yeah, it's been weird...

the local avenues of asking for referrals are limited. I'm finding a huge split in those who used to be Dem/progressive/liberal as a result of this virus. Half have gone down the QAnon rabbit hole. Very anti-mask though not yet pro-Trump -- though it's just a matter of time. And not all involved in local Dem politics are pro-BLM. So, there's that.

[NickB79]

7. I'm a white, bearded, gun-owning factory worker in a conservativerural area

I blend in fairly well, and I don't shy away from an argument if someone gets in my face. So I'm not scared for myself.

But the unbridled hate I've seen towards POC from coworkers, other townsfolk and even police officers, especially since the protests, has made me scared for the safety of my non-white wife and daughter.

I'm mildly on edge most of the time now when we're out and about near home, around almost entirely white people. When we go 20 minutes north, into a much larger, racially diverse city, I relax.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. I definitely hear you.

My grandson, who lives with me, is a biracial child. The viciousness that has been unleashed is frightening.

[Kali]

8. I feel as safe as "normal" but always saddened that

friends and neighbors are so easily deluded. I know plenty of good folks who are repukes, mostly we don't talk politics and I don't go searching to see how fucked up they actually are, but when I do see something I tend to withdraw even more. I just do not understand how anybody can't see what drumpf is - wspecially out here in the southwest. I mean...a fucking make-up wearing, new york realestate developer???!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

30. It's unbelievable to me too...

I knew probably one-third of this country was racist and gullible AF, but TRUMP???

SMH He's a cult leader. Never saw that coming.

[calguy]

9. I feel safe staying at home

and only going out to buy the necessities. However I have cancelled my annual trip to the west coast to see my kids because I won't risk spending two days in an airpirt. Especially since my connecting flights going and coming are in Houston.
No way. No how.

[Red Mountain]

10. Durham county here

and you have to be very careful. Most people who might disagree are more or less sane (but what Trump supporter at this point doesn't have other issues?) but there is a tiny minority that is worth avoiding if you don't want to live in fear.

I wouldn't put up a yard sign. I do intend to put up political signs in the area prior to the election. Like-minded people need to see they aren't alone.

A socially conscious Angie's list type service would be very welcome.

[OneGrassRoot]

14. Thank you. I consider Durham...

much more progressive and where I'd prefer to be.

But you're spot on about everything you said.

[mvd]

13. I live in west/central Montco PA

Area has gotten more Democratic since I moved here over 20 years ago. I don’t feel in danger from crazed Trumpies. Crime is low. As far as COVID is concerned, there are a decent number of cases but not too much spreading based on the county figures.

[Sherman A1]

15. I feel very safe

that said I do not put up yard signs for candidates or issues as my street doesn't really go anywhere, my track record means that they will likely lose if I do so and I am not taking chances.

I do not put bumper stickers on my vehicles as frankly something I paid multiple thousands of dollars of my hard earned money to buy is not going to be ruined by a sticker for any political candidate.

As for masks I certainly wear them when I am out and I will continue to do so. I cannot control what others do, I will not speak up to them, but I will go the other way and avoid them.

[Kaleva]

16. I'm surrounded by Trumpsters but we are pretty much laid back here so I feel safe.

Majority of people in the stores are wearing masks and I have yet to hear of a confrontation between mask wearers and non-mask wearers.

[Freedomofspeech]

17. I do not feel safe living in SW Pennsylvania.

We do not have the freedom to put political signs in our yard or bumper stickers on our car. There is open carry in PA and MF45 has emboldened these nuts. There are trump flags and signs everywhere. We are well known in this small town because my husband was the school superintendent and I was very active in the community and everyone knows we are staunch Democrats.
We are preparing our home to put on the market. We cannot wait to get out of here and are relocating to be near our oldest son.
We only go to the grocery store and the local Rite Aid. The majority of people around here refuse to wear masks so we make our trips early in the AM when either store is not busy.
You are blessed if you live somewhere where you do feel safe. The local Democrats are not knocking on doors this year because out of fear for their safety. I pray that our house sells quickly so that we can leave the area where we grew up and once loved but now hate.

[OneGrassRoot]

21. I grew up there..

and have Dem friends there. I sooooo hear you. There’s a special kind of viciousness there. I think the Trumpers there are still seething about Obama’s (accurate) comment re: many people in that area clinging to their bibles and guns.

[Freedomofspeech]

24. It was a lovely place when I was young but now...

I do not even recognize it anymore.

[Generic Brad]

18. I feel unsafe outside of my home

I work from home around 12 hours a day. I am avoiding going into stores and picking up food by calling ahead. I mask up when I walk in the park.

When I am out of the home I am distinctly in the minority when it comes to wearing a mask. The cases are surging in my town. Not cool.

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Not cool at all...

I’m sorry. Stay safe.

[GeorgeGist]

19. I live in a very red area...

And I fear for my life and my wife and my family. The dumb f****** is too inbred to think otherwise.

[OneGrassRoot]

32. Awful...

I'm so sorry. People who don't recognize the dangers you and I see all around are so fortunate. It's REALLY bad in many places, even if not pure red. It only takes a handful of the Trump cultists to threaten the "libtards." They live for it now.

[SheltieLover]

20. I like your idea

But liberal business owners would likely be harassed.

I've not felt safe since coming to Memphis almost 3 yrs ago. Violent crime here is horrific & the judges keep letting perps out on bail. Real shithole.

So, for me, isolation is not much different since covid, except now I wear a mask when I go out.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. Wow...

I didn’t know that about Memphis.

Yeah, that’s the bad part about having a progressive chamber of commerce of sorts: Trumpers harass. We boycott but they threaten and harass.

Fucking hell.

[SheltieLover]

28. Yup

Highest violent crime rate in the country. Worse than Detroit.

Absolutely! Violent trumpers are definitely a thing here as well. Shithole I can't wait to move away from! 🤮

Meanness like I have never even imagined. "Having fun" to many here means shooting someone or vandalizing property. Sick.

[Wounded Bear]

25. Blue state, mostly blue county, not may MAGAts around here...

so I'm pretty good.

Quite a few maskless folks around though. I try to avoid them like the plague, if you get my drift.

[gollygee]

26. I had someone go after me because of an Obama bumper sticker once upon a time

and I am careful about what I put on my car now. I would love if there were a local place to tell me what businesses were pro-BLM pro-mask, etc. I know some from word-of-mouth and I do frequent those. I know some are not friendly for the same reasons and I stay away. A resource would be helpful.

[Siwsan]

27. I live in one of the 'bluest' districts in Michigan

100% Democratic representation from local to federal level. Any republicans, in this neighborhood, keep it pretty much to themselves. Most people in the shops are wearing masks. Some of my neighbors wear them when they walk through the neighborhood.

The surrounding areas are not so comfortable. LOTS of rural red districts. Now that Governor Whitmer has strengthened the mask requirement, I anticipate seeing and hearing about problems.

I've always said that if I ever decide to move, I'd start looking for houses during an election cycle in order to check out the campaign yard signs. That would help, significantly, to narrow the search.

[BannonsLiver]

31. No one should feel safe living in a country with 400 million guns

[OneGrassRoot]

33. Excellent point. n/t