• Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    Look, I never said there was nothing to like about TX, or that everyone is awful. I don’t get jobs in Austin, or any of the major cities really. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is lovely and Big Bend is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

    But you know what I don’t like? Knowing full well that the instant I go mask off, and the small town locals realize I’m a gender-nonconforming, socialist, atheist, antifascist, who thinks Trump should be buried in the NYC sewer, it’s just possible all that fake friendliness might disappear, and I could soon need to defend myself against multiple assailants. Fortunately I blend well, but I was nearly assaulted down there just for wearing a mask during the height of COVID. Do you think I called the cops? I’m not much of a fighter. I’m a cuddly bear. People don’t usually mess with me. Maybe in cities people are cool. Maybe. I do not feel safe just being myself in most places, but especially not TX. Sure, there are lots of belligerent assholes in small towns across the country. I’ve been all over, but Texans go hard about it.

    You see, they aren’t just the meanest gullible suckers in your state who might try to beat my ass or kill me; those are a dime a dozen. They are the people in your state with actual wealth and power. They are the cops. They are the judges. If I lose the fight I might die. What hell would unleash if I won? You think TX is a free state? Only if you consider punching down one of your basic freedoms. I can’t imagine what it’d be like if I wasn’t a white dude. If they wanna fight, they should fight as equals. Otherwise is just… Well, it sure ain’t tough.