Who’s afraid of being a Democrat or expressing liberal views in this land of the brave? In this country of ours that holds up free speech to be a primary and essential right?
I was fascinated by this diary yesterday outlining two “person on the street” interviews in Dallas, Texas. Both interviewees had some disagreement with the current administration and the direction of our country and both kept those opinions quiet in their work and social lives. They were afraid.
They were not alone, as you will learn below.
Last week a group of Dallasites (rounded up from Dkos, TexasKos, Atrios and friends of friends) came together for a “Drinking Liberally” meet-up. A reporter from the Dallas Observer, our local alternative paper, was there. And he came away with some interesting impressions.
“The Thursday event marked the first in-person Dallas gathering of a progressive online group called Texas Kos, an offshoot of the popular blog community Daily Kos…
Coming out to meet online friends in person for the first time didn’t seem to trouble anyone present, but coming out as a liberal in Texas is another matter. The identities used on Kos, such as “catte nappe” and “sees differently,” were admitted freely, but many were leery of sharing their full names with a reporter. “I work at a very conservative institution,” explained one.
…no matter how bright the future for Democrats in Dallas, they still have to live in the present. When the speaker was asked his name, he gave a weak grin and said, “Just call me ‘Paul’.”
Well, we may not be ready to “come out” in the paper yet – but we will continue meeting. In fact, Dallas area readers are invited to join us for our second weekly meeting tonight at 6:30. Check us out on Drinking Liberally
Cross posted from DKos – not because it’s such a damn fine diary, but to reach any North Texans hiding out here.
