Which Scenario, if Either, Would Make You Feel More Threatened or Unsafe?

[Debater Slayer]

There are much tougher laws on this in the UK and if you walked around like those guys you wouldn't last 5 minutes. Nobody would be afraid, they'd just call the police and have you arrested or more likely have their mates beat you up. This kind of thing is incredibly serious. We don't have the free speech laws that would allow it.

The part about others' reactions brings another question to mind: in the UK in general, what do you think most people's reactions would be if they saw someone walking around wearing a T-shirt with communist symbols? I realize there may be regional variations in reactions to such things, so feel free to narrow down the question to one country or city for the sake of accuracy if you prefer.

(On a related note, I agree with treating Nazi expression as hate speech like much of Europe does.)

 

[Rival]

The part about others' reactions brings another question to mind: in the UK in general, what do you think most people's reactions would be if they saw someone walking around wearing a T-shirt with communist symbols? I realize there may be regional variations in reactions to such things, so feel free to narrow down the question to one country or city for the sake of accuracy if you prefer.

(On a related note, I agree with treating Nazi expression as hate speech like much of Europe does.)

Probably wouldn't bring much notice but might bring the usual idea of hypocrisy in turning it into a consumer product.

 

[Debater Slayer]

It is however more common for the children of former soviet citizens or east bloc emigres to be very indignant and upfront in condemning my views in a more feisty way, which I have come to respect as their way of honouring their parents lived experiences, while I still disagree with anti-communism.

I have also seen strong criticism of communism from a friend whose parents were both Soviet citizens. I find it perfectly understandable, given the oppression, poverty, and brutality Soviet citizens were subjected to.

If you don't mind sharing, what specifically do you mean by "more feisty way"? And have any of the people who have criticized your views in that way distanced themselves from you as a result of your views?

 

[libre]

As a former National Socialist I know that the serious ones don't walk around showing it off like a trend.

I'm more afraid of so-called regular people.

I can appreciate your candor, given that many in your shoes would not be so forthcoming.

However, I do feel compelled to say that your previous involvement with the far-right likely distorts your assessment of the danger rather than qualifying it. If not for you personally than for others.

 

[libre]

I have also seen strong criticism of communism from a friend whose parents were both Soviet citizens. I find it perfectly understandable, given the oppression, poverty, and brutality Soviet citizens were subjected to.

If you don't mind sharing, what specifically do you mean by "more feisty way"? And have any of the people who have criticized your views in that way distanced themselves from you as a result of your views?

I'd say the former-soviet citizens that I've met that were anti-communist have been apathetic towards the existence of communists in the first world, while they are happy to explain their disagreements. When I meet the ancestors of soviet emigres that are anti-communist I'd characterize them more as feeling righteous or argumentative when they encounter communists, much less passive while not exactly threatening.

That said, I've also met a lot of former soviet citizens and their children who in many respects are still Communist sympathizers, so it's not a monolith for sure, while not the popular stance here.

 

[Father Heathen]

This happened in Nashville today:

 

[Yerda]

I'd be more upset and concerned about the nazis in full gear. I'd also probably be worried that I was about to witness a murder - people don't like that stuff here (West/Central Scotland).

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

To my knowledge nobody has ever felt threatened in an immediate physical sense when they find out I am a communist.

That's only because folks are easily misled by your cute little birdie avatar, carefully drawn to conceal its sickles talons.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Anyway, I voted I wouldn't be afraid of either. Honestly, the chances of even seeing a white power skinhead in the city I live are virtually zero and they would be likely to be badly beaten up by people. Their safety would be more questionable. As far as I know the most dangerous white power groups in the US is the Atomwaffen Division, which is a neo-Nazi terrorist group that has committed murder. But they're not going to be in your face about it, showing off in the street. I don't take silly groups like "Blood Tribe" or that other obvious fed front people are talking about lately seriously. They're for show and hide behind cops. I would jeer them.

I've also known white nationalists, and even a skinhead, and those people were not violent or attacking people for being non-white.

(Also, not all skinheads are racist. The original skinhead movement had nothing to do with racism and was centered around ska and soul music. Many skinheads carry that subculture on, and not all skinheads are white. I even consider myself ajacent to that subculture because of my interests.)

As for commies, if I made my political views known, they may want to attack me. Certainly I don't feel safe wearing my MAGA hat pretty much anywhere here. But I don't talk to those people.

 

[Secret Chief]

I'd be more upset and concerned about the nazis in full gear. I'd also probably be worried that I was about to witness a murder - people don't like that stuff here (West/Central Scotland).

Well you'd need to restrain yourself.

 

[Debater Slayer]

As for commies, if I made my political views known, they may want to attack me. Certainly I don't feel safe wearing my MAGA hat pretty much anywhere here. But I don't talk to those people.

I can't speak for communists in the US, but for what it's worth, my own social circle has included communists, libertarians, socialists, conservatives, and people with various other views. We all don't mind discussion, and we get along well. (My friend group includes some people from all of these groups, too.)

Many of the people in my social circle would probably have a lot of vigorous discussions with a Trump supporter, but they wouldn't even think of physically attacking them. We're all small minorities in our country and looked for new social circles primarily for the purpose of being able to freely be ourselves and discuss "taboo" topics safely, after all.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I can't speak for communists in the US, but for what it's worth, my own social circle has included communists, libertarians, socialists, conservatives, and people with various other views. We all don't mind discussion, and we get along well. (My friend group includes some people from all of these groups, too.)

Many of the people in my social circle would probably have a lot of vigorous discussions with a Trump supporter, but they wouldn't even think of physically attacking them. We're all small minorities in our country and looked for new social circles primarily for the purpose of being able to freely be ourselves and discuss "taboo" topics safely, after all.

I live around one of the biggest public university campuses in the US, with lots of extreme Antifa types, in a very Democratic city. Yes, they may get violent or threatening here.