and something about this that’s been particularly crazy, and rather eye opening, is just how many of these people weren’t radicalized or changed, they were simply given permission to openly be xenophobic, racist, neanderthals with impunity. in school we were taught that we overcame the racism of the 50’s and 60’s; that was a lie. what we did was make it so that the bigots and racists had to keep those thoughts and feelings within confines of their own private little bubbles for fear of serious public and professional retribution.
that’s gone now, and now every day is a pride parade for racists, nazis, and white nationalists. and it is 100% a response to things like giving gay people basic human rights or having a black president, which made them feel uncomfortable. now their guy is back in the white house, and all of the masks have come off. it’s a depressing realization, how many of your own friends, family, and neighbors were huge pieces of shit all along.