I mean, there are two side of the argument.

Pragmatically, fleeing would save your life.

But ethically, it feels cowardly. (I’m not calling anyone a “coward”, its just how I internally feel about such an act, if I were the one doing it)

  • Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    30
    ·
    edit-2
    24 days ago

    I would need more to defend than just a Flag or Land area. I’m not killing myself or others for some line on a map. I.e. would it cause massive suffering for people if the war is lost?

  • SomeAmateur@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    24
    ·
    edit-2
    24 days ago

    The US is a massive place. Yes the federal govt can suck but state and local governments are where you see the real day to day effects like roads, local businesses, utilities and parks.

    Sit in on a meeting (a lot of stuff is streamed thanks to covid). Get to know the people in office in your area and what they stand for. If you want make your voice heard however you choose and give them some perspective on how an upcoming decision effects you. You can vote wisely and build a community with them from the bottom up.

    You can have a surprising level of influence just by reminding people that voters exist and care enough to give input now and then.

  • Limonene@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    21
    ·
    24 days ago

    If you’re trans: Start making plans to flee. You don’t have to carry them out right now. But do get a passport, even if it has to have your deadname. Canada or Mexico probably wouldn’t accept a US refugee just for being trans right now, but that will change in the future.

    If you’re an immigrant, or even a permanent resident: It’s unsafe in the US right now. I wouldn’t fault you if you left today. However, everyone’s circumstances are different. Maybe you want to stay and support your spouse and kids who are citizens, and you’re willing to risk your life to do it. It depends on the circumstances.

    Anyone else: Stay and fight.

  • cobysev@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    18
    ·
    24 days ago

    This depends on a lot of factors. If you’re part of a targeted demographic due to race, gender, religion, etc., then it might be safer to flee before you draw attention to yourself.

    If you’re not a targeted demographic, then it might be best to stick around and stand up for your fellow citizens. But this could also lump you in with the targeted demographic and might eventually lead to your own persecution, so it’s a risky choice.

    Either way, I still advocate for standing up to any oppression or persecution going on in your home country. No one should ever lose their home to dictators and/or fascists.

    This is actually how a lot of states get divided politically. People see a place as a “red state” or a “blue state” and decide to either avoid them or move away if their political ideology doesn’t line up. But that just further entrenches the area into a political leaning. By sticking around and advocating for human rights and better community and respect, you can help prevent the splitting of communities and stop divisive concepts like fascism from forming.

    • ObtuseDoorFrame@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      24 days ago

      I’m autistic and trying to figure out if autism is an at-risk minority group. It doesn’t help that I was extremely vocal on Reddit about how much I hate Trump and Musk. I deleted my account, but Reddit is now a fascist platform and would likely turn over my posts and email address to this administration without a second thought.

      I’m not sure what to do. I’m not sure if I could even leave at all, with my debilitating anxiety and trauma.

      • Dharma Curious (he/him)@slrpnk.net
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        24 days ago

        White. Male. Able bodied. Neurotypical. Christian (Catholics need not apply). Straight. Republican.

        If you or someone you know doesn’t fit each one of those, then they are at risk of persecution in the US.

  • tate@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    ·
    24 days ago

    I’m just so grateful that so many great scientists fled nazi germany. Also that those who stayed behind (this is controversial and not known for sure) hindered and delayed Germany’s nuclear weapons program.

  • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radio
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    14
    ·
    24 days ago

    This question has nothing to do with the country and everything to do with the person. It’s entirely up to the individual how to approach this.

    For an external observer, the choice made by someone else is not for you to judge. You can never know what is inside the other person’s mind and whilst you might disagree, it’s their choice.

  • Panamalt@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    24 days ago

    Imagine someone keeps breaking into your house and shitting on your pillow. Do you move out and find a new house, or do you grab a baseball bat and beat the shit bandits ass?

    Both are valid options with positive and negative consequences. Which path we choose is largely determined by the value we personally place on our things and spaces. We tend to value our homes and families more, so it’s easier to choose the bat. But, it’s the exact same choice when your country goes sideways (or any difficult decision, really).

    Ask yourself; How valuable is the country, to you? How valuable is your role in its society, to you? How valuable is it that you stand up for your beliefs, to you? If you place no value on your country, then move on and feel good about taking care of yourself. If you value your country a lot, then stand and fight to the end. No one on the internet can answer these questions for you, and there is no right or wrong choice unless you decide there is.

  • atomic peach@pawb.social
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    8
    ·
    24 days ago

    It’s a very valid question and I think it comes down to an individual’s situation and circumstances. Not many can afford to actually leave or have family, friends, other ties to their home that they cannot emotionally afford to leave. Others struggle in how they can support efforts to fight for their rights or simply don’t have the physical or emotional reserves to make such a fight. I think the only truly ethically irresponsible answer would be to do the opposite that you are able and willing to do. I could never judge someone for leaving or for staying; it’s not really a mark of their character.

  • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    8
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    24 days ago

    I’ve spent my whole life fighting for progressivism and my right to exist as a trans immigrant. My partner and I have been preparing to leave for a year. We’re personally done, see y’all on the other side

  • OprahsedCreature@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    6
    ·
    24 days ago

    I mean, there are examples of people who defected from Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union (and other places too) before and during the war. Good general rule is that the earlier they did the easier a time they had of it overall.

  • insomniac_lemon@lemmy.cafe
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    24 days ago

    Generally, I feel like it depends on how viable it seems to fix. Is this the same issue that people marched about 50+ years ago?

    Specific elephant in the room, what possible fix within 2-4 decades is there when the right has most of the keys including a stacked supreme court?

    Personally, I can’t really fight or leave. I am nowhere close to anything politically relevant… I have no transportation, income, or ID/passport etc. I am a shut-in with untreated health issues. I’m just letting the days go by.

  • ocean@lemmy.selfhostcat.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    ·
    24 days ago

    I made a similar post and I feel no answers here on lemmy are satisfactory. They’re either you should have left 8 years ago or fight for (what?) it. At the beginning of this term people yelled fascism and I thought that was silly. Now it feels closer to reality but it’s unclear what is just news making it worse than it is or reality.

    Leaving certainly is an option but not an easy one, especially depending on your family situation. I’ve considered both and honestly idk. The people who just yell we should have left a while ago are too ready to jump the gun and probably are keyboard activists who are in fact still here.

    Idk, just some thoughts. Idk what to do either but it’s scary.