Flight, not Fight?

I have steered clear of social media for several weeks. Between the; Presidential Debate, the ruling on presidential immunity, Project 2025, and the assassination attempt on candidate Trump, I worry negativity may bring me down.

What I've seen on social media indicates that many progressives accept the United States is on a path to becoming a reactionary, right-wing authoritian state, and their response is to flee the country rather than fight in the streets for Democracy. The same folks who are standing with Gaza are renewing their passports.

That response makes me wonder how much progressive activism comes from a place of privilege. One activist who works with marginalized communities told me; the poor cannot leave, they will have to stand and fight. Many progressives have the resources to leave the country; having money available to renew passports and fly to other countries, and once they arrive, they may have connections to support them or assist them in finding work.

But why leave? One reason may be fear. Once the; immigrants and refugees, Latinx, African-Americans, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities are rounded up into internment camps, the educated and active are likely next.

A second, and more subtle reason, may be that the privileged may realize that in the streets, they may have to step aside. As another activist explained to me, Project 2025 is nothing new to the marginalized. They know how to fight in the streets, perhaps in ways that many progressives may find extreme.

I also see many posts from folks who may want to see America fall into authoritianism to create a new society. This new society may be a centralized collective, based on the teachings of Marx, Lenin, Mao, or Minh, or millions of autonomous communities. Either of these would require complex street actions and national networks of mutual assistance and community defense.

As for me, I plan to be in the fight. I realize that I am not front line material; I won't be at the barricades. My place will be behind the lines, making sure activists can keep their data and communication secure.