The Fear Factor

As a general rule, I don’t discuss politics at work or with people I don’t know very well. It’s just not worth it.

yahooyahoo said:

As a general rule, I don’t discuss politics at work or with people I don’t know very well. It’s just not worth it.

believe me, I avoid it as much as possible and I rarely bring it up around casual acquaintances, and then only if they're on my side already.  I'm not looking to get into arguments with maga people. 

but I'm not talking about having political discussions. i'm just wondering if when you talk with friendlies anyone ever mentions feeling constrained to speak out in any way. 

in early 2025 I mentioned to my older brother that I was thinking about planting myself on a local, busy street corner with a protest sign, and his immediate response was to warn me about the possibility of getting shot. I never did set up that sign. I haven't had a bumper sticker on my car since the '24 election though I constantly have ideas of what they should say. I'm still kind of afraid that someone might smash my car windows in.

it's very concerning to me that there is so little sign of visible protest. I drive around a lot, I cover a lot of neighborhoods around me and I don't think there are 5 homes that I pass that have a protest sign of any sort. and I don't think I've even seen 5 bumper stickers.

what about out in nj? are there lawn signs? bumper stickers?

drummerboy said:

I was wondering how many people may have experienced being told by others, or maybe just feeling it yourself, to not be very public about expressing your opposition to the current political moment for fear of some sort of retribution.

I'm not talking about participating in the big demonstrations we've had. I'm talking about personal, public expressions of any sort.

I'm sure there's a different vibe in your part of NJ than in Ohio, even though I do live in a pretty bluish-purply area.

Anyway, I hear it a lot. Way too often.

Well...

In our area of NJ, I have no concerns about safety. 

However, there are other areas of NJ (and any state) where I would think twice about a public protest. Most pro-Trump voters wouldn't do anything but all it takes is one a-hole.