3mo ago

Am I being paranoid for wanting to leave West Virginia?

I’m 22F married to 26M. We got married in 2019. We have 1 son together born in 2021. We’re an interracial couple, my husband’s Black and I’m White. My husband’s a journeyman lineman, makes ~100k per year. I’m a housewife. Due to the current admin - I’ve noticed the atmosphere changing (becoming more hostile) here, and that says a lot since WV has never been a progressive paradise to say the least. I’d like to move states, since countries is just too unrealistic. Husband says I’m just being paranoid.

9 comments

If possible, I'd move to somewhere more "blue". It's not an over reaction to be worried about this Administration's insanity.
I'm a middle aged, white guy. You'd think I wouldn't sweat it. But, I voted Democrat and I've been to protests. It's on my mind that the time will come when they scoop up folks like me.
I'm leaving the US for my own safety so no, you're not being paranoid. A lot of people who fear for their safety but can't leave are trying to move to blue states. I personally know at least a half dozen.
Very near you, parts of North Carolina are very blue and open minded. And not too much of a culture shock...
- Any places around the urban areas or higher learning in NC won't look twice at an interracial couple, they're everywhere. There's still racists here, don't get me wrong, but they hold their tongue usually.
- The North Carolina legislature has a supermajority of far right republicans. The NC GOP is currently brazenly attempting to throw out legitimate ballots to steal a state supreme court seat, and the courts are going along with it. If they want to move for political concerns, I don't think NC is enough of an improvement to justify the disruption involved.
If you're looking to get to California, have your husband check out PG&E - they're almost always actively hiring linemen at that rate - usually higher. You can make it here on $100k relatively comfortably if you're smart with your $.
There's still racism here, but it's nowhere near what you see on the east coast - less institutional, at least in Northern California - this changes depending on how far inland you go. SoCal is considerably more tribal, and the LAPD has a bad history when it comes to race relations, but still not on the same level as WV.
Source: multiracial family, lived all over
It seems like the crazies are more emboldened everywhere. If you are in a spot where they were already more concentrated, you will probably experience a proportional amount more of crazies doing racist, crazy shit.
It's not time for a tin foil hat yet, but it is time to have talks about where you would like to move, and what conditions would be the trigger for you two to pull the rip cord and bounce.
I hope you and your hubby stay safe. Peace.
I don't blame you for wanting to move. My partner and I are straight-passing, cis-passing, white folk in a blue state. We're thinking of leaving the country. (Well, I am. My partner's kind of like yours--not convinced we're in danger.)
You're much more visibly "other" than we are. One thought I've seen floated around is that options are good. If you can claim an international citizenship/passport (through, I dunno, Irish parents or something) it's worth doing.
I think you're being paranoid, but peace-of-mind is priceless. If you feel like you should move, then do so.

9 comments