Krebs - Blue in a red state: a survival guide to life in the real America

BLUE IN A RED STATE

ALSO BY JUSTIN KREBS

538 Ways to Live, Work, and Play Like a Liberal

2016 by Justin Krebs

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No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form, without written permission from the publisher.

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Published in the United States by The New Press, New York, 2016

Distributed by Perseus Distribution

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Names: Krebs, Justin, author.

Title: Blue in a red state : a survival guide to life in the real America / Justin Krebs.

Description: New York : The New Press, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015031077 | ISBN 9781595589699 (e-book)

Subjects: LCSH: LiberalismUnited States. | Right and left (Political science)United States. | LiberalsUnited StatesBiography. | Political cultureUnited States. | BISAC: POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civics & Citizenship. | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Conservatism & Liberalism. | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Democracy. | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Government / General. Classification: LCC JC574.2.U6 K753 2016 | DDC 320.51/30973dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015031077

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CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Lisa in Waukesha, Wisconsin, has two Facebook accounts. One reflects her liberal politics; the other is for acquaintances and family members to whom Lisa shows only her cat photos. Christina, in Milford, Massachusetts, has a sign in the back window of her car proclaiming support for a Democratic candidate. But as soon as she parks in the company lot, she puts it facedown on the backseat. Byron has lived in the same small town of Pomeroy, Iowapopulation 662his entire life. He brings his partner to family dinners but has never actually said to his conservative sister that hes gay.

Lisa, Christina, and Byron are blues in red statesliberals who live in conservative communities that exist in every state, Republican- or Democratic-leaning, across America. They and people like them are constantly reminded they arent quite like everyone else: from the churches they do or dont attend, to their purchases and media preferences, to their loyalties at the ballot box. On a daily basis, liberals who have made homes, formed friendships, and participated in the civic life of conservative towns and cities are confronted with unsettling reminders that theyre different, and theyve found myriad ways to take that truth in stride.

On some occasions, its best to say as little as possible. Chris in Cincinnati, Ohio, is quick to talk liberalismexcept when hes hanging out with his ice hockey team. Spike in Sandia Park, New Mexico, and Dean in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, are both white men in their sixties who often hear offhand right-wing comments from people who assume they are conservative, and then have to determine whether its worth speaking up. Diane in Fairbanks, Alaska, occasionally talks politics with her neighbors but never lets it get too heatedshes always mindful she might need that neighbor to dig her out of the next big storm. Some might call this strategy passinggoing undercover, by conscious deception or simple omission, to blend into conservative surroundings, staying quiet through sticky moments, or deftly navigating around political minefields in ones neighborhood or workplace.

But in some instances, it becomes too hard to stay quiet. Susannah in Kalispell, Montana, has had to interrupt the conversation of her quilting group when its veered too far to the rightwhether debating government policy about wolves or discussing Native Americans. Rita, in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, mentioned to one of the members of her water aerobics club that the prayer before their post-practice lunch made her uncomfortable (at their next lunch, the women prayed while Rita was in the bathroom). Lenzi in Austin, Texas, asked her law school classmates not to use the word retardedand was reprimanded by her professor as a result. Byron doesnt like to stir up any controversy in his bar but found he had to say something as regulars muttered racial slurs. Coming out as a liberal happens when its important to stand up for liberal values even momentarily, in situations where remaining silent would feel complicit. Here and there, liberals living out of their element sometimes feel a need to lean into their politicsboasting a yard sign on a conservative block, offering a divergent point of view at a cordial mealand then lean away just as quickly for the sake of civility and stability.

And at other times, theres no choice but to make a scene. When Desmond visited a comedy club on a trip home to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he was so stunned by the performers homophobic comments that he piped up in the middle of the set. Dan in Idaho Falls, Idaho, questions his childrens science teachers about evolutionletting them apologize for teaching that theory before he reveals hes a scientist who is in favor of a reality-based curriculum. Such moments call for unapologetic pride in ones political perspective. At these junctures, liberals living in conservative areas wear their true colors, launching the long-shot local campaign, marching in pride parades, striking up conversations to convince their conservative acquaintances, calling out homophobia, racism, or sexism, or even running for office.

At the same time, liberals often cope with and find comfort in their conservative surroundings by seeking out their tribe. Dan of Idaho Falls has started an atheist society. Desmond discovered a local theater group while growing up in Tuscaloosa. Even in the most isolated moments, Joe of Brandon, Florida, can still consume progressive blogs and podcasts. Chris of Yankton, South Dakota, streams left-leaning radio shows daily.

However, whether they find their kindred spirits in small clusters or online, when these liberals walk out their doors, they come face-to-face withand need to learn to confront, conform to, or otherwise navigatetheir right-wing reality: TVs in local venues are tuned to Fox News. Co-workers can quote Rush Limbaugh. Anti-Obama comments are rife, made as a casual matter of fact, often ignorant and sometimes crossing the line to racist. Neighbors and colleagues assume that everyone attends church, and some are suspicious of those who dont. The same assumptions are made about gun ownership.

In these settings, being liberal can be challenging and it can be frightening. As one woman in Oklahoma City confessed, before she found other liberals she could talk with who gave her confidence, she would have been too nervous to come out of the closet as a liberal. And this isnt just liberal paranoia: a conservative Mormon in Salt Lake City, Utah, explained that she had become disgusted with the venomous rhetoric of the Republicans in her state and it pushed her to meet some liberals. When she finally did, she recounted in total seriousness, The first thing I learned was that they didnt want to kill babies.