Preparing for the new America
I’m a white dude, but I’m getting very worried about how things are going. Should I start to scrub everything off the internet of mine? Should I also start to cover my tattoos? Seems they’re targeting people for random ass tattoos and that has me worried. What other things should I be doing to prep?
They probably won’t come for you (unless you’re very politically vocal) until after they’re done with immigrants, LGBTQ folks, the mentally ill…
So if you don’t want them to come for you, help make sure they don’t get to wrap up those groups first. Maybe advocate on behalf of some of those folks - your voice has more clout.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Wikipedia lists this as the original:
When the Nazis came for the communists, I kept quiet; I wasn't a communist.
When they came for the trade unionists, I kept quiet; I wasn't a trade unionist.
When they locked up the Social Democrats, I kept quiet; I wasn't a social democrat.
When they locked up the Jews, I kept quiet; I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me, there was no one left to protest.
They probably won’t come for you (unless you’re very politically vocal)
Maybe advocate on behalf of some of those folks - your voice has more clout.
Pick one.
This fight won't be won by the silent, but don't try to claim he can use others as a buffer until their numbers thin out.
My idea as a transgender man who struggles with mental illness - if I am safe, than health cis men are also safe.
Maybe it’s not “use people as a buffer” but the start fighting now.
I know I am in danger and there is nothing I can do about it. Many cis men can do things now, that would improve my life and help push up against this rising tide of fascism.
Fight back, if someone nearby is getting vanned by 'police' step in the way and demand THEIR papers and charges, grab videos, photos, plate numbers and anything else of note and hell if you can follow them to wherever they go so people don't just vanish.
I understand the sentiment here, but how are you any more capable of handling the situation than the people they’re ‘vanning’?
I’m a white dude as well and I’m struggling like OP. Everyone is saying fight back and to be safe, but there’s really serious risk involved here that people are quick to ignore in writing.
All I see day after day is more and more police abuse and especially in protests where it counts. The other day, someone people in the comments were suggesting the bullet/stab-proof vests were expected fair, even for civilians.
My friends that I know are against our current state of affairs, but feel that peaceful protest has so far been ineffective. And I’ve never been a criminal before and would be terrified to start now.
I admit it’s been engrained in me, but I couldn’t bring myself to acts of vandalism either. I’m just not that type of person. And I think if there was a way to contribute by doing art or programming, or something similarly creative in a way that feels more impactful than peaceful protest, a lot more people would be more willing to put something in.
My entire life, I’ve focused on creative skill sets and I bet many that oppose Trump feel the same. I wish I had some sort of way to go out and actually see something directly change as a result of what I did rather than holding a sign up with some slogan that people might honk a horn at.
It all just feels wrong when the opposition literally wants to hurt us and all we want to do is keep our distance.
I don't have a solid answer to that, but the recent PhD a candidate that got swiped as I gather was in the middle of a crowded space. If a hand ful of people showed up, and other emboldened by those first few joined in, pretty soon those handful of thugs would be surrounded and you can bet that there wouldn't be a missing person out there. They have guns and handcuffs, but the people number in the millions and can overwhelm by sheer force of numbers.
I still recall the image of the police HQ in Minneapolis taken over during the Floyd protests. People went directly into the lion's den and claimed their place. It can happen again, somewhere out there a spark is just waiting to be lit.
Consider the type of person that thrives in a fascist society. If you are not that type of person, you will wither. There is no middle ground.
Do you believe the US can still be pulled back from the brink? Stay and fight for it. If you don't, leave while it's still easy.
if you talk about any spicy topics online, you should definitely get rid of that. I used to talk about all sorts of anti-government stuff,but decided probably wasn’t smart to do that in the clear anymore. as the use of AI continues, the surveillance state will have further reach and will bedealing with smaller and more mundane issues. Especially if you ever talk shit aboutany corporate executives from large companies, those are deemed security conversations now by the FBI and they are happy to help companies and executive track down those who run their mouths about their executives and board of directors.
Some things you can do is to start getting your intimidate family to start taking digital privacy seriously. It helps get the ball rolling on "I would join Signal, but no one I know uses it" and such. We need to start the police state of information. Police work is largely about informants and intimidation. Keeping our data safe means they don't know who to target and makes their job that much harder. Further it better allows for our political and civil disobedience.
It also helps to get in shape and learn some boxing. Its good for all round fitness and confidence building.
Also, on the topic of people watching
https://padlet.com/PeopleoverPapers/people-over-papers-anonymous-an-nimo-lf0l47ljszbto2uj
Its a two player game.
I’m not hiding my tattoos, but I also live in the Bay Area and everyone and their dog has tattoos here.
Should I start to scrub everything off the internet of mine?
Since November, I have been operating under the assumption that the answer to that question is "yes."
Doubly so if you're immigrant/queer/bipoc/disabled.
Regarding everything else you asked:
I would say it depends on if the tattoos are political or likely to draw attention from the police or your local Karen. I feel like tattoos are ubiquitous enough now that you might be okay there. With all the immigrants being abducted around the country lately, it seems readily apparent that it isn't actually about the tattoos, and the administration isn't really doing much to dispel the notion that it's anything but overt racism and xenophobia. Of course, if the shit actually hits the fan, who knows?
Protect the vulnerable if at all possible. That goes without saying. No one's obligated to martyr themselves or anything, I'm just saying don't lose your humanity in all this. I'd like to think that this isn't going somewhere unrecoverable, and I do still have some hope, but we aren't entirely in charted waters here.
If you just want some shit to do, I would look at reviews for books with the "prepping" tag and see which ones are highly rated. It's good to have reference material that isn't dependent upon the internet or digital storage. If you have the room. I would also include books about gardening, farming, animals, camping, homesteading, DIY shit. Of course, that could end up being quite a library, and digital is far more portable. Depends on where you are and if it's the kind of place you'd wanna leave if shit got bad.
Have a group. People you can sincerely trust with your life. The more local they are, the better. If real civil unrest kicks off, you're not going to want to move alone. Talk to them about it. Make a rough plan as a group. Include food, water, shelter, power if at all possible, transportation and personal defense in that plan. If you don't know how to use a firearm, it's not a terrible time to start.
If you are in the city, you and the group should at least have a plan for how to get out. Even in a real civil unrest situation, cities may not become hellscapes that are more dangerous than they're worth, but I do think it is incumbent upon us to consider that possibility.
Backup power is not a bad idea to look into, not just for civil unrest but because the administration has already shown that we should expect natural disaster response and funding to be meager at best. And the weather ain't getting better.
Until shit gets "get everyone and get out" bad, digital privacy is paramount. I would not trust American corporations to protect your privacy.
I keep wanting to end this with "and then hopefully we look back on this in four years and realize we were being sensationalists." But nah, shit is actually getting pretty fucked up out there.
"have a group."
Ok, me and my dog are set.
Yes, I would scrub everything you possibly can. Never before have we seen one political party with so much control. It is getting to the point where even news sources (reliably moderate like the New York Times and NBC) are moving inline with Trump's government and never criticize it anymore--this is classic fascism. I rarely see negative posts about this presidency anymore, which likely means media is being threatened. Everyone mustn't remain silent! We must continue posting memes against Trump until they simply can't take it anymore and give in. My only fear is that elections will eventually be banned and any non-100% white person will be driven out of this beautiful country.
America 1776-2024 (it was safe until Trump stormed his way back in that unfair election!!!)
I have an Indian neighbor who came here legally years ago, and I have warned him that even LEGAL immigrants are likely to get deported!!11!
Be loud, be proud, dont cover yourself, arm yourself and learn how to use it safely
You are likely safe.
Nobody is safe in a fascist government. Study history.