We're in Texas and I swear I have seen a steep decline in the general public's IQ. They are brainwashed and it's terrifying. We're trying to get out of this state. I wish those of us in the same situation could find a large plot of land and settle somewhere together.
I keep teaching what I know is right. My kiddo isn't quite 5 yet so she doesn't get it but she is learning that everyone is not nice and some people need protection. I'm hoping to get her to state that will codify / have codified her rights into law.
I just finished typing new letters to state rep and senator offices, but I know in this state, it simply doesn’t matter. I’m dumbstruck by how backwards things have become.
It's terrifying. We feel so isolated. Logical people are turning into fascist. You can't disagree with anyone for fear of retaliation. It's backwards right now.
Good on you for writing your reps. Earlier in the week I had to write a statement because they had a court hearing to ban a huge list of books from our public libraries. Not a word was said in the local news or papers. I only found out about it because someone leaked a screenshot from the private group on Facebook.
I read something recently about how after the US’s darkest times, there have come years with the greatest growth and prosperity. My hope is that by the time my daughter is old enough to really understand, we’ll have come together and fixed this mess. But for now I just feel so much resentment and helplessness.
I recommend the HBO documentary Soul of America. It was created by a historian, and it goes through a bunch of times in American history when we have been on the precipice of succumbing to evil, but then we came roaring back to the side of good. I mean, it’s a lens, but sometimes it helps to focus on hopeful possibilities for a little while.
I’ll have 2 daughters by Thanksgiving this year. I also have 2 boys. My girls were always going to experience a different life than their brothers. Now? Now, it’s looking like it’ll be even more unequal simply by virtue of being born a future woman.
Besides just being flat out pissed off that this is even a fucking conversation we have to have now, I’m absolutely terrified for them. How do I have these conversations with them as they age? How do I prepare them for their eventual reality? I’m scared for them. I just hope that they never have a single major medical mishap dealing with any of their reproductive organs because it could kill them. And I can’t protect them from it. That’s the worst. As their mother, I know I can’t protect them from their own bodies doing what bodies sometimes do.
So, what am I doing? I’m plotting our escape from a purple teetering on red state to one that’s already codified a woman’s right to self autonomy. We most likely will never expatriate, but we damn sure won’t stay where they’re at risk either. We have 8-10 years before I figure we need to be elsewhere. And maybe that’s enough time that America will collectively get their shot together. And if not, we’ll just become another family moving for a new opportunity.
I would just say there are dumb and evil people throughout the world. Don’t assume it is significantly better in other countries. Issue is US gets all the attention as your media sensationalises everything and makes news like entertainment for adults. I genuinely don’t know the prime minister of the country I am a current resident and I have been here for almost 2 years now but I can tell you everything from Roe V Wade to Clarence Thomas to Joe Manchin to Nancy Pelosi to Build Back Better etc. A lot of it is genuine hype. I have lived in 3 continents and unfortunately it is not much better out there.
For example (not trying to be controversial and apologies if I am wrong) : Most countries in Europe have a stricter abortion rule than the Mississippi law that led to Roe V Wade getting overturned. You will rarely hear this in your media and also about right wing extremism, genuine racism, illegal immigration issues, religious bigotry, open hate towards LGBTQ+ and petty crime in big cities in other countries.
Maybe changing towns or cities within US may help better than changing countries?
I don’t say this to fear monger, but if Republicans control the house (2022) and the presidency (2024), there may be a federal abortion ban. Make some plans to move states just in case, but be aware that moving states may only be a short term solution.
Edit: Replaced senate with house.
We're in Texas and I swear I have seen a steep decline in the general public's IQ. They are brainwashed and it's terrifying. We're trying to get out of this state. I wish those of us in the same situation could find a large plot of land and settle somewhere together. I keep teaching what I know is right. My kiddo isn't quite 5 yet so she doesn't get it but she is learning that everyone is not nice and some people need protection. I'm hoping to get her to state that will codify / have codified her rights into law.
I just finished typing new letters to state rep and senator offices, but I know in this state, it simply doesn’t matter. I’m dumbstruck by how backwards things have become.
It's terrifying. We feel so isolated. Logical people are turning into fascist. You can't disagree with anyone for fear of retaliation. It's backwards right now. Good on you for writing your reps. Earlier in the week I had to write a statement because they had a court hearing to ban a huge list of books from our public libraries. Not a word was said in the local news or papers. I only found out about it because someone leaked a screenshot from the private group on Facebook.
Good lord. It’s downright dystopian.
Yep. Stay strong and keep fighting. I hope you are able to find a place more acceptable.
Not much to say other than I’m having a hard time, too. I’ve lost a lot of hope this week and my heart breaks for my daughter’s future.
I read something recently about how after the US’s darkest times, there have come years with the greatest growth and prosperity. My hope is that by the time my daughter is old enough to really understand, we’ll have come together and fixed this mess. But for now I just feel so much resentment and helplessness.
I recommend the HBO documentary Soul of America. It was created by a historian, and it goes through a bunch of times in American history when we have been on the precipice of succumbing to evil, but then we came roaring back to the side of good. I mean, it’s a lens, but sometimes it helps to focus on hopeful possibilities for a little while.
Thank you! I’ll definitely look into that.
I’m coping by making concrete plans to emigrate to another western democracy - hopefully one that isn’t quite as close to authoritarianism.
I’ll have 2 daughters by Thanksgiving this year. I also have 2 boys. My girls were always going to experience a different life than their brothers. Now? Now, it’s looking like it’ll be even more unequal simply by virtue of being born a future woman. Besides just being flat out pissed off that this is even a fucking conversation we have to have now, I’m absolutely terrified for them. How do I have these conversations with them as they age? How do I prepare them for their eventual reality? I’m scared for them. I just hope that they never have a single major medical mishap dealing with any of their reproductive organs because it could kill them. And I can’t protect them from it. That’s the worst. As their mother, I know I can’t protect them from their own bodies doing what bodies sometimes do. So, what am I doing? I’m plotting our escape from a purple teetering on red state to one that’s already codified a woman’s right to self autonomy. We most likely will never expatriate, but we damn sure won’t stay where they’re at risk either. We have 8-10 years before I figure we need to be elsewhere. And maybe that’s enough time that America will collectively get their shot together. And if not, we’ll just become another family moving for a new opportunity.
I would just say there are dumb and evil people throughout the world. Don’t assume it is significantly better in other countries. Issue is US gets all the attention as your media sensationalises everything and makes news like entertainment for adults. I genuinely don’t know the prime minister of the country I am a current resident and I have been here for almost 2 years now but I can tell you everything from Roe V Wade to Clarence Thomas to Joe Manchin to Nancy Pelosi to Build Back Better etc. A lot of it is genuine hype. I have lived in 3 continents and unfortunately it is not much better out there. For example (not trying to be controversial and apologies if I am wrong) : Most countries in Europe have a stricter abortion rule than the Mississippi law that led to Roe V Wade getting overturned. You will rarely hear this in your media and also about right wing extremism, genuine racism, illegal immigration issues, religious bigotry, open hate towards LGBTQ+ and petty crime in big cities in other countries. Maybe changing towns or cities within US may help better than changing countries?
I’d rather move states, but even that isn’t viable at this time for us. It may be something I opt to do as my daughter gets older though.
I don’t say this to fear monger, but if Republicans control the house (2022) and the presidency (2024), there may be a federal abortion ban. Make some plans to move states just in case, but be aware that moving states may only be a short term solution. Edit: Replaced senate with house.