General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This may start a DU dispute," but [View all]Vivienne235729
(3,377 posts)You would be surprised what is out there!! I don't think it is always that people are racist as it is that they are ignorant (I know. Racist people ARE ignorant and there's plenty of them too). But, I think it is important for us to talk about these things. To bridge the gap and educate people on what Black Lives Matter REALLY means. I got into plenty of arguments w people I know online. I tell them BLM is not about being against law enforcement as it is about being against the RACISM IN law enforcement. That helps to take much wind out of their sails. Then they always bring up Defund the Police. And I've noticed that is a harder one to make people think. It is terribly worded and irrationally triggers people. It may work with the base, but for so many others out there, it is detrimental.
We talked about this in my group. We organized a counter BLM rally to their back the blue rally. And even within our dem group, there were still misconceptions (all affluent white men and women). We spent a couple days clarifying so that people understood what it entails. And that's people that are already democrats. But I'm lucky that in my group, there are a lot of highly intelligent people who are good at explaining and distilling the essence of things so that everyone is on the same page.
I mean no offense by this, but you sound really disheartened and I totally get that. It IS disheartening to live in a red area. It can wear you down and suck the life out of you. But you will be surprised how many progressives are out there. Even in very red areas. I live in a red area. I see trucks w the kkk symbol. I see trucks w enormous trump flags everywhere. Ridiculous bullshit. Go find a progressive group of like minded people. It will give you more hope. And when you start organizing and start DOING things together, it makes YOU feel better. It did for us anyways.