kneebitten
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I’m not afraid of being arrested. Not afraid of Proud Boys, etc. I’m afraid of the dismayed looks I see on people’s faces when they realize I’m weirder than I first appeared.
Update: I went because of the support offered by my fellow imgurians. Thank you all, and thanks to Usersub for viralizing my post. No Kings!
runfloristrun
I hope you went! Ours was awesome!
n3ckr0mantic
You got this. We believe in you.
Cohacq
Everyone does what they can. If you couldnt show up today, you were part of spreading the word here on Imgur (and i presume other platforms, irl etc). Dont beat yourself up too much.
glovelyday
Go. You don't need to interact with anyone, but just your presence is important.
BosunMark
Don't be. Plenty of us weirdos out there. You'll be with more like minded folk like yourself than you think. If my autistic ass can get out there, so can you!
scatterscott
Deep breaths and make your opinion known
kkanne20
I used to have crippling social anxiety so I totally understand
TiredBanana
Social anxiety won't keep you from the camps.
OhIfIMust
Truth.
iynque
Yeah, the people roller skating in frog costumes for a naked bike ride might not think you’re cool because your outfit isn’t inflatable. 😔
TooSoonOldTooLateSmart
I felt unwell this morning. I suspect it was psychosomatic. I felt better at the event.
But wait, I feel low again now. Hmm.
eion85
You can do it! Being weird at a protest is often a good thing.
InDubiousBattle
You know what? Your weirdness is exactly what we need. This regime wants boring conformity. This is why the inflatable frog suits are so iconic right now. Because in the face of fascism, the rest of us are celebrating our differences.
Your weirdness, whatever it is, IS the protest. Bring it tomorrow with pride.
bourbonandbaddecisions
I have ptsd and hate crowds. I’m going to stuff my anxiety down and go because I have to.
kneebitten
Hope you made it and enjoyed the festivities.
JoMarch
Put that sign in your window and drive by the protest over and over honking! The honking kept me energized this morning!
kneebitten
I did go! And several people covered their cars with signs and passed through the intersection repeatedly. Thanks!
kneebitten
Thanks, everyone. Usersub is the best!
FermentTheRich3000
Just hang out at the edge and stay as long as you can.
tsterling00
Lean into it.
NVGoddesscottage
We went, my daughter bought a wheelchair van this summer after not having one for 43 years. Couldn’t find parking. Drove around and honked. We had cool posters too. It’s ok if you didn’t make it. Little bit at a time.
TheCryptid
Id say go with accepting the idea you can turn back anytime when you feel like you want to. You might be surprised how far youll get before you turn back
ihatedmyoldusername
you can do it!
ChelVanin
On the other hand, this will be one of those rare social events where you got plenty in common and plenty to talk about. And have you looked at Portland recently? The weirder the better!
trhopkins
Take a deep breathe and focus on the fact that everybody is there for he same reason you are. .Yall all have something in common
JohnWickdidnothingwrong
I hear you. I saved up spoons all week for it. I hope I have enough, you know? It helps that the No Kings ones really seem to preferentially attract non-garbage people, but...still people.
thepeenisbehindthetrenchcoat
I hear ya. I can't stand being around crowds.
kneebitten
Crowds don’t bother me. Born and raised in NYC. It’s interaction with new people whose approval I might care about.
horsetuna
You can do it. And remember you don't have to stay the entire time, nor get right into the middle of it! You can stay on the edges/in the back and leave when you have to
wylkyn
I like this suggestion. Go but give yourself permission to leave when you want to. Only commit to going for a very short period of time. Similar to committing yourself to write one word or draw one line when you're creatively blocked. Go for five minutes. If it sucks, you still did what you planned. If its not as bad as you feared, stay longer,but only if you want to. There's no time requirement for being part of a protest.
horsetuna
One can even go, leave for a bit and then return.
1LostPuppy
And remember, if it gets too much. Just picture them naked.
OhIfIMust
michiyl
But what if they retaliate and picture you naked as revenge?
NeurodivergenceMedley
Well then they'll just be scarred for the rest of their lives, which will probably shortly end in suicide. And then I'll feel bad about that.
kneebitten
Did it!
horsetuna
luciferrex
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1ZzFscnJjMG5udjMzNzA1dmsxYjlhZGxreDdrZjhzcmR1dW5oMjlxeiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/fdyZ3qI0GVZC0/200w.webp
KitchenBane
Whooooo! Go @op!!!
NonMAGA
You got this. Don't do it for you. Think of your most "at risk" friend under this current regime. Do it for them. Do it for someone who is unable.
kneebitten
That is truly the point, isn’t it? Thank you.
NonMAGA
Checking in on you. Hoping you feel better today and are able to go out. The reality is this will impact the other side very little, but they still don't want you to because you will see others that are with you and feel that it isn't hopeless. It will be good for you as well as the world. - Old anxious, depressive, ADHD dude just trying to help because I've been there. Also don't beat yourself up if you didn't make it. Self care is also important. :OldGuyHug:
kneebitten
My best friend did go! Out of all the cars that went by in 2 1/2 hours, only 6 displayed aggression, in bright red Central Florida! It was very encouraging. Thank you ::OldGalHugs::
Saturniidae
Extrovert here with footsie animal pajamas: WE WILL DRAW FIRE (aka disapproving looks) AND MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE ONE OF THE NORMAL ONES. Rest easy, introverts, you can hold a sign and look totally sane compared to use freaks dressed up ion inflatable costumes, fursuits, and the like.
kneebitten
Loved the costumes! I wore a TACO hat.
BenderRodriguz1010
Being weird is ok. Do you have anyone to go with? Groups of friends or even just coworkers if they're cool.
kneebitten
I’m hoping to run into friends by surprise. My best friend is sick right now, or she’d be there.
BenderRodriguz1010
Maybe just one other person if not a group? Strength in numbers.
BenderRodriguz1010
Remember, your weird is somebody's weird too. At least a little. I don't trust anyone who isn't at least a little weird.
kneebitten
There you have it.
BenderRodriguz1010
SciencePetsComputers
Good time to possibly make a new friend then. However people react to your brand of "weird" is on them as long as your not causing them any actual harm. You could easily make friends with someone else feeling out of place, or maybe someone (or some people) will make a point to talk to you because they see you without a friend. Small talk and canned lines are perfectly good tools to navigate social situations and gauge how well you might get along.
ThePostPenultStraw
People often believe others are thinking about them, but they are not. You can walk through a crowd unnoticed as long as you are not drawing attention; the only one watching you is you.
Go to the protest, find a spot, and simply stand, or shuffle along with the crowd. You do not need to speak or engage, just be there. The movement needs your presence to be counted to send its message. Being there is engagement enough. Be well.
OhIfIMust
It's called the Spotlight Effect.
1songbird365
💗
BenderRodriguz1010
This. You can even be WAY in the back. You're still there though amd it counts.
ThePostPenultStraw
I hope you were able to go OP. I just got back. I basically walked continuously through the crowd, reading signs, waving to cars, and listening to speeches. A lot of people where in attendance and even more cars thinking horns in solidarity. Excited to see what the final numbers will be. Be well.
kneebitten