Red State Refugees - Why Are We Here?

 'If we weren't from here we wouldn't live here.'

When Brandon said this to me it really made me wonder why the fuck I'm here. I'd never look at Idaho on a map and think 'wow that big red skid mark with a history of neo-nazis sounds dope.'

I'd never choose to live here if I wasn't born here. 

Every day, for the last couple years, I count another MAGA flag that's been erected overnight in the five block radius surrounding our house. Every day it's more and more glaringly fucking obvious that they don't take kindly to 'our kind' around these parts. The commies, the libtards, the queers and the feminists. Sure, we've been fortunate in finding a small group of like minds, but in general, the people of Idaho just think BLM is racist, ANTIFA is a terrorist organization, and women should have no control of their bodies. That's really all you need to know about Idaho.

As the Trump mentality has gained more and more fire, it feels as though it's rapidly closing in on us. Knock off trump merch for sale on street corners, the ever growing fleet of F150's with 'Trump 2020 Fuck Your Feelings' plastered across the back, and a GIANT 'thin blue line' flag waving high above a Honda dealership in place of old glory make it known... loud and clear... that this is The New America, and we all better fucking deal with it.

Idaho isn't a welcoming place. If you mention you're from California, another shitty graphic designer will whip up another shitty sticker about Idaho being full, or a similar sentiment. 

Idaho also ejaculates at the simple mention of AR15's. 

Idahoans think the second amendment is holy scripture and bringing guns everywhere is a form of praise. Idaho loves guns SO MUCH, that an 18 year old brought his to the capitol to intimidate teens peacefully protesting the murder of an unarmed black man. 

When he accidentally discharged it into the grass across from them, he was given a misdemeanor, while the 19 year old girl who tagged the capitol with 'ACAB' got a felony.

I've always had a complicated relationship with this state. It's safe, my family is here, every time we leave we come back.

I'm not sure where we 'belong' or where we'll end up, but this ain't it anymore. 

I want to live somewhere my vote counts. I want to live somewhere that the local new's comment sections don't make me feel like I'm developing an ulcer. I want to take our time and see America. 

Unfortunately, we've come to this in the times of covid. (which has also made the worst of the worst come out in Idaho, but that's another story I don't have the energy for right now).

With covid in mind, as soon as we're able, we want to hit the road and look for home. 

Right now we're open to anywhere that isn't Florida, due to obvious reasons. (While we appreciate our friends, we don't want suggestions at this time, thanks) Once we leave, this will be a place for Brandon and I to document our travels through photos and writing...maybe some road songs, who knows. 

Stay tuned...

Until then, I guess I'll keep counting the MAGA flags.