I live in a state that voted for trump, and in a remote desert where his ideas are very popular. My little town is about half Hispanic and half Anglo. Things have changed here. It was formerly a cow- ranching — town, but now wealthy Anglos have chosen it as a cheap place to retire. It’s close to the Big Bend National Park and a very beautiful part of the world. But they have brought their attitudes with them.
Now the town’s gone from Democrat to conservative. I’ve lost a couple friends already, since the election. I stopped going to our coffee shop because of racist talk among the customers. We live on the “Mexican” side of the tracks, and my good neighbors are pretty quiet about the election. It seems like the friends we have now are all Hispanic.…
Let me describe myself. I’m white, 5’ 11”, 180. 67 years old, white hair. I could use a haircut, as usual. I do ranch labor and carpentry work. I wear a Stetson hat and cowboy boots. Yes, a big old belt buckle with a mule on it. I’m a big strong guy.
My looks are important now, like never before, because I can go anywhere in this Texas landscape and no one will give me a second glance. If I go into a bar, or the feed store, or anywhere else around here, people give me a nod or a “howdy”. I can stand around in any public place and hear what people say, or participate in conversations.
I have the privilege of whiteness. I have been aware of it most of my life.
Now I would like to use it for subversive purposes. I can sit with my coffee and over hear anything. I can listen to what people in the area say about trump, or about Mexicans, or Black Lives Matter, without raising any suspicion.
It happens, often enough, that people assume from my looks, that I share right-wing beliefs...
I’m committed to helping. I have sheltered undocumentados at my corrals before. I’ll do it again. I’ve confronted the deputies here about Black Lives Matter, and I’ll do that again.
I have written twice here on kos about these subjects- see my “On la frontera, Five years ago”, and “Picked a Black Lives Matter fight with the Sherriff, it looks like”.
This area is so remote that there is no progressive organization around, no sanctuary movement, no group to join. My partner and I are on our own.
I know what “clicktivism” is, and it’s not enough for me.
I will ask now, how can I help? Because of my appearance, I can be a spy and move un-noticed. I am not afraid to act or speak if the time is right. But I can shut up if I need to.
I would like suggestions about how, with no group support or organization, I can do what is right.