If you think these people don't have any impact, you've not been paying attention to your neighbours to the south (or to us over the pond, or to anywhere where trans and other queer people are being targeted, really)
I meant these marchers, which seem disorganized and relatively few people. The overall trend, rightwing extremism, is a worldwide problem whose flames were fanned by Russia and China. The American brand of right wing BS is particularly destructive and infectious though. I know it, I moved from a place getting infected by it to a place where people like me (bi) are safer.
UK seems to be on a similar path, unfortunately. Though it's a slightly different take on it.
I feel like I need to defend us a little: US is pretty well split between two extremes right now, and you mostly read about this in the 1/3 of states that are highly conservative.
Even in Florida, with all its faults, all its hatred, it’s corrupt government, it’s attacks on education ….. a buddy in mine living in a community with a high percentage of lgbt folk, says it really doesn’t affect them directly. I’d worry more about raising kids there
Lmfao, do as much mental gymnastics as you like, that doesn't change reality, nor make the US defensible in any way shape or form.
says it really doesn’t affect them directly
and that right there is the problem - that you (and your friend) only see an issue once it does.
Maybe try taking your head out of that rotten "standing up for my country" sand and actually try listening more to those already impacted, because I guarantee there are many, they wholeheartedly disagree with you, and it isn't stopping with them.
Would it help to rephrase for my I tended meaning?
— Yes it’s a problem but we’re not all like that. Most of us are not.
— Even in one of the most bigoted places, with politicians spewing hatred, even as one of the targeted groups, a lot of it is just bluster and the hatred doesn’t always translate to real life
— Hatred toward x, is mostly “riling up the base” and you don’t always encounter them, but attacks on education use the force of law to apply the bigotry everywhere, impacting the future of our children and our society
US is pretty well split between two extremes right now
I'm curious what you think the extreme is on the other end of the spectrum from right-wing bigotry, because usually folks who say this label the "trans and gay people exist, are people, are not all pedophiles, and deserve the same human rights and basic decency as anyone" contingent as the other extreme, somehow.
At the risk of showing my bias, the other end of the spectrum is “people”. Just people. Normal people, different people, special people people of varying attributes, ethnicities, and preferences.
You’re probably correct that “extremes” was not the best choice of words, but I meant that as in opposing. We have people on one side and right wing bigots on the opposite, and they are bound to clash