Now, it’s perfectly true that there was never a time in America when everyone just got along beautifully. Our history of racism and xenophobia alone puts the lie to that. But Trump’s intolerance truly is ecumenical in that it could be any group, any individual, any foe or (former) friend at any given moment. It’s entirely self-serving.
It’s making more and more people embrace political violence. The recent American Values Survey from Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) in partnership with the Brookings Institution think tank found that one in three Republicans agree that “because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country” – up from 15% in 2021. (22% of Independents and 13% of Democrats agree, all numbers having increased since 2021.) The truly frightening number is that among those who believe the Big Lie, 46% believe they may resort to violence, as well as 41% of Trump fans and 41% who buy into the “Great Replacement Theory.” 39% of Christian nationalists are ready to take up arms to “save the country.” Those numbers represent tens of millions of Americans.
Who against who and how? It’s not like we have defined lines to cross. Hell, on my street here in the Deep South, it would be neighbor against neighbor. But the blacks and liberals, all armed and outnumbering the fascists, would fold instantly.
I’m thinking Brown Shirts organizing in small groups is how it begins.
“Shalafi, look man, just give us your guns for your own safety. No one wants to hurt you, but you’re a threat to yourself and ‘country’.”
Not this lib. Easy to say because I’ve lived a full life, but I still have much to lose. Despite my age, I got little kids I want to raise. But I’ll die before I raise them in a fascist hellscape.
If fighting back means my death? Almost certainly will. I’d be scared shitless, but I won’t meekly lay down. I’m more scared of dying for nothing.