So much to unpack here ( because there are so many "packing.") This dorky comment shows I'd be much more comfortable at the Pun Show than the Gun Show. But, clearly, this is the radical right movement died up neatly with a bow, isn't it? There's so much anger, cruelty, tribalism, dis/mis-information and white-hot irony in there, it's dizzying. The Anti-Socialists love social programs that benefit them; the Anti-Communists often support moves made by the former KGB agent who would dearly love to see the return of the Soviet Union. The rabid supporters of law enforcement who may agree with Jan 6 activities involving harming police and the pro-veteran folks who likely can't stand Jon Stewart are also interesting. One thing I don't see- any anti-choice propaganda- that issue is tricky for them to navigate. The only reason I even bring this up is it appears that the the list found among the stickers, apparel and even the naming of weapons connect to actionable political issues that voting groups connect with- guns, the border, lgbtq rights, even "protection" of Christians' rights. I wonder how they reconcile such intrusive moves upon personal rights that have been made in terms of Dobbs and state-level legislation with their otherwise libertarian approach. I hope that one really messes up the plan to roll us back to the 1850s. Yes, I meant eighteen. Ugh, my stomach hurts- every undecided or disinterested voter should have to see these on a billboard.
This and your previous post have me thinking about Victor Hugo's Green Book, and a modern Sundown Town Travel Guide, research, and info space (https://justice.tougaloo.edu/). This is such a strange mix of hate, fear, and kink. It's like a market for stocking a haunted house attraction, minus the animatronics and melange of severed parts props. The multiple meanings in the "Lipstick and Lead" shirt *chef's kiss! Toxic cosmetics for sure. The last photo, the boot knife, is what sealed the deal for me here in terms of the hate and rage that it would take to employ it. All spectacularly terrifying. Thank you!
Ha! Such a useful comment--thanks for reading and responding! I had something in there about Sundown Towns and took it out so as not to "over-accuse"....but what could be more of an indictment than what they've said themselves.
I set up at gun shows, regularly. Your slanted view is interesting to observe.
What is missing from your story is that a majority of vendors (and many attendees) are proud veterans and former law enforcement who were trained by our government to protect us from enemies, foreign and domestic.
You must have done some creative photography to glaze over that fact and avoid photographing the countless disabled and elderly veterans who flock to these shows to find camaraderie.
Somehow, you also managed to miss the fact that these shows have a phenomenal atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion. The difference is that it is completely open acceptance, not forced but simply because we are all humans with a shared experience.
Just this past weekend, I observed as two young black men (with distinctively stand-out appearance) shopped through the show, while carrying a semi-automatic rifle. I tried to view the vendors through a racist lens, but all that I saw was them having conversations, getting advice and lots of smiling and laughter.
I have seen black supremacists at these shows, and still treated the same as everyone else, despite the symbolism. The same for Asians and Hispanics. The young man with a huge booth, adjacent to mine, is brown with tattoos all the way up his neck.
I have had countless conversations with escapees of communism. They love our country for its freedoms. Minorities of all types find a welcoming atmosphere at these shows. I am a white woman and no one has yet uttered a racial slur within my earshot.
It’s humorous that you went looking for Nazi symbolism and only found anti-Nazi imagery. You might have been to the Ocala Gun Show this weekend and you would have heard a whisper that someone had sold some Nazi artifacts. It clearly made the other vendors uncomfortable.
There are certainly racists in all walks of life; though the biggest collector of Nazi memorabilia that I have met is a liberal school teacher who understands that we must study history in order not to repeat it. You would never know of his collection of Swastikas, because he can’t be open with his own people about why he holds these objects. No tolerance from the left.
If you want to find some true Nazis, do an honest piece on the history of Ukraine and the origins of the Azov Battalion and their Nazi symbolism.
You could ask some of the incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent people at these gun shows, because they generally have a strong grasp of history, especially having been a part of making it.
Sad that you went to the trouble of putting on ridiculous crocs and slinking around with a notebook and completely missed the chance to meet so many amazing people from all walks of life. People who love each other and love our free country.
Oh, and by the way, it’s not a gun search checkpoint. It’s for people who are bringing guns in to sell or buy accessories to get them disabled for safety.
So much to unpack here ( because there are so many "packing.") This dorky comment shows I'd be much more comfortable at the Pun Show than the Gun Show. But, clearly, this is the radical right movement died up neatly with a bow, isn't it? There's so much anger, cruelty, tribalism, dis/mis-information and white-hot irony in there, it's dizzying. The Anti-Socialists love social programs that benefit them; the Anti-Communists often support moves made by the former KGB agent who would dearly love to see the return of the Soviet Union. The rabid supporters of law enforcement who may agree with Jan 6 activities involving harming police and the pro-veteran folks who likely can't stand Jon Stewart are also interesting. One thing I don't see- any anti-choice propaganda- that issue is tricky for them to navigate. The only reason I even bring this up is it appears that the the list found among the stickers, apparel and even the naming of weapons connect to actionable political issues that voting groups connect with- guns, the border, lgbtq rights, even "protection" of Christians' rights. I wonder how they reconcile such intrusive moves upon personal rights that have been made in terms of Dobbs and state-level legislation with their otherwise libertarian approach. I hope that one really messes up the plan to roll us back to the 1850s. Yes, I meant eighteen. Ugh, my stomach hurts- every undecided or disinterested voter should have to see these on a billboard.
Hillary-- of course I will be back with more to say, but for now I'll only observe that these folks are like the night before vacation....
Disgusting enough to perform the ironic eradication of humans that indoctrinate this fouling of the mind.
This and your previous post have me thinking about Victor Hugo's Green Book, and a modern Sundown Town Travel Guide, research, and info space (https://justice.tougaloo.edu/). This is such a strange mix of hate, fear, and kink. It's like a market for stocking a haunted house attraction, minus the animatronics and melange of severed parts props. The multiple meanings in the "Lipstick and Lead" shirt *chef's kiss! Toxic cosmetics for sure. The last photo, the boot knife, is what sealed the deal for me here in terms of the hate and rage that it would take to employ it. All spectacularly terrifying. Thank you!
And one more reply -- I have your terrifying animatronics coming before too long if I can ever get to my post on the Creation Museum in Kentucky.
Oh my goodness! I am so excited for this!
KINK -- exactly! Dave kept observing their obvious "fetish" for these objects of violence.
This just in! https://www.vpm.org/news/2023-07-24/negro-motorists-green-book-virginia-markers?fbclid=IwAR0_yz777dCRCj1HKKLAw5UKL0k0j3lpCDzkny4ewiATtLOrpkm-dn6r9YY_aem_AZ4AixzHU37gVee-Y8tCjuSdquQv1Zb8gXldNczPDjk9iC1N_fMDaiBAaJdpPtHY_PY&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Ha! Such a useful comment--thanks for reading and responding! I had something in there about Sundown Towns and took it out so as not to "over-accuse"....but what could be more of an indictment than what they've said themselves.
I set up at gun shows, regularly. Your slanted view is interesting to observe.
What is missing from your story is that a majority of vendors (and many attendees) are proud veterans and former law enforcement who were trained by our government to protect us from enemies, foreign and domestic.
You must have done some creative photography to glaze over that fact and avoid photographing the countless disabled and elderly veterans who flock to these shows to find camaraderie.
Somehow, you also managed to miss the fact that these shows have a phenomenal atmosphere of diversity, equity and inclusion. The difference is that it is completely open acceptance, not forced but simply because we are all humans with a shared experience.
Just this past weekend, I observed as two young black men (with distinctively stand-out appearance) shopped through the show, while carrying a semi-automatic rifle. I tried to view the vendors through a racist lens, but all that I saw was them having conversations, getting advice and lots of smiling and laughter.
I have seen black supremacists at these shows, and still treated the same as everyone else, despite the symbolism. The same for Asians and Hispanics. The young man with a huge booth, adjacent to mine, is brown with tattoos all the way up his neck.
I have had countless conversations with escapees of communism. They love our country for its freedoms. Minorities of all types find a welcoming atmosphere at these shows. I am a white woman and no one has yet uttered a racial slur within my earshot.
It’s humorous that you went looking for Nazi symbolism and only found anti-Nazi imagery. You might have been to the Ocala Gun Show this weekend and you would have heard a whisper that someone had sold some Nazi artifacts. It clearly made the other vendors uncomfortable.
There are certainly racists in all walks of life; though the biggest collector of Nazi memorabilia that I have met is a liberal school teacher who understands that we must study history in order not to repeat it. You would never know of his collection of Swastikas, because he can’t be open with his own people about why he holds these objects. No tolerance from the left.
If you want to find some true Nazis, do an honest piece on the history of Ukraine and the origins of the Azov Battalion and their Nazi symbolism.
You could ask some of the incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent people at these gun shows, because they generally have a strong grasp of history, especially having been a part of making it.
Sad that you went to the trouble of putting on ridiculous crocs and slinking around with a notebook and completely missed the chance to meet so many amazing people from all walks of life. People who love each other and love our free country.
Oh, and by the way, it’s not a gun search checkpoint. It’s for people who are bringing guns in to sell or buy accessories to get them disabled for safety.