How to survive hell, from an old redneck.
I'm a 30 something liberal pagan living in a red state, so I'm somewhat accustomed to social hostility. With the election results being as they are, here's the little bit of wisdom I have to share.
1) Get to know your neighbors. When people know you and like you, it's much harder for them to "other" you and dehumanize you. "The damn queers" hits different when you're Bob from 3 doors down who brought them a casserole when their uncle died.
2) Community. Find people like you, and hold on tight. It's a lot easier to crush the spirit of people who feel alone and helpless.
3) Do not isolate, or try to hide. They'll find you one way or the other, and as my grandfather once said "If you run, you'll just die tired. If you fight, you might stand a chance."
4) Check on your friends. Some people get quietly desperate and disappear like a dying barn cat. Once one person gives up, there's a waterfall effect so hold each other up.
5) Walk your fences. If you have property, make your presence known. It's a lot harder to take things that are obviously defended.
6) Remember that most of these fuckers are cowards. They go after what they think of weaker than them. Operate on the Red Panda principle and make yourself bigger than you are. At least half the time they'll think you're not worth the effort.
7) Learn some survival skills. If you suddenly need to take an extended camping trip, uproot and roll out, or go off grid it's good to have already picked up those skills. Learning on the fly is much harder. Mending clothes, growing food, huhting/butchery, basic shelter construction, firestarting, first aid, and how to purify water. If you can't do it all, pick a thing and diversify with your community.
I hope it helps, and if anyone needs somebody to talk to my DMs are open. I'm a perpetual big sister/ mom friend and I take it seriously.
