By Rachel Puryear

This is not a post I ever wanted to have to write, but it’s nevertheless much needed.

As a lover of freedom, autonomy, and travel; the threat that a fairly small but emboldened loud, hateful, and violent-minded segment of the U.S. population poses to the rest of us has become an increasing source of worry in recent years (even though it’s really nothing new) – and so it seems right to share what I can find about protecting oneself and loved ones with others, as well.

I am well aware that this post in itself could make me a target, and I’m well prepared to deal with that – but I still think that this needs to be said.

There is an extremist rightwing faction in the USA that’s not at all new, but is growing increasingly loud – and more powerful – in recent years. This population tends to like violence, hold views of white supremacy and misogyny and Christian nationalism (though most religious people here are peaceful), and is by far the most likely to perpetrate domestic terror and mass shootings. One needs to vigilantly watch out for them.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

This is a good idea anywhere, during any times.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be hyper vigilant about everyone, everywhere, all the time – but it does mean to keep a level of awareness in the back of your mind when you’re out and about, or in unfamiliar places.

Try and notice other people, anything that doesn’t seem right, or anything that seems unusual.

Keep Communication Open

Stay in touch with people you know, and keep them apprised about where you are, and what’s going on. That way, they’ll notice if the pattern changes.

However, never publicly post your location in real time – you don’t what just anyone knowing where you are in an unfamiliar place.

To protect your privacy online, use a VPN on public Wi-Fi, and enable two-factor identification for logging into accounts with sensitive information.

Trust Your Instincts

This goes hand in hand with awareness of your surroundings.

If someone, somewhere, or something seems off, or feels threatening, or just not right, heed that little warning inside your mind. It’s there for a reason.

We all know deep down that we should trust our instincts, but people ignore them all the time, and then regret that later – especially if we are being manipulated, appealed to, or distracted.

Research Places and Routes Before Visiting

Nowadays, there’s plenty of information out there, and formal and informal travel guides available. Use that to your advantage to get to know more about a place’s reputation and options before you go there.

This can even help you meet locals before you visit a location, who can give you their perspective and perhaps even be a friendly presence once you arrive. Of course, if you’re meeting people online (especially a group that isn’t well screened), remember again about awareness and trusting your instincts about them.

Help Out Park Rangers

Park rangers are, unfortunately, among the many hardworking federal employees being harmed and fired in droves by the current administration. They do essential work for our beautiful parks, and this will probably make the parks more dangerous to visit, as well as diminish how well they’re maintained in the coming years.

Please do your part when visiting our parks to cooperate with the rangers (who are still) there, pick up after yourself – and always leave no trace, and follow all of the park’s rules and guidelines.

Be Diligent About Your Transportation

If you’re driving, make sure your car is well maintained and in good working order before hitting the road. Make sure you have plenty of gas or charge before starting a long drive.

For public transit, be very cautious in going places late at night, especially if the neighborhood is uncertain. For rideshares, use official apps to order a ride.

Doing these things will minimize the chances that you’ll be caught in a situation where you’re extra vulnerable, and have limited control over your safety, that others might try and exploit.

Remember That There Are More Friendly Folks Than Dangerous Ones

This is helpful for keeping things in perspective, especially if you often feel alienated from much of the world. It’s also good practical advice – cultivating potential friends and allies can be a great defense against those who would harm and take advantage of you.

The world is a scary place. However, being afraid all the time and limiting one’s own world is not a great way to live. Doing what you can to get to know and befriend others around you who are open to you, will often help protect you as well as help you to feel less alone in the world.

Beware of the Warning Signs – But Also Know That They’re Not Always There

Contrary to popular belief, most terrorist activity in the USA is perpetrated not by foreign terrorists, but by domestic terrorists – violently misogynistic white supremacists and self-proclaimed “Christian” nationalists. These people are often obsessed with weapons, a performative version of so-called “patriotism”, and tend to harbor a raging victim mentality about liberals and “woke” people supposedly “taking their country” (when in fact they are the ones who cannot accept its gradually moving into the future).

Consider When to Travel In Groups

I appreciate the appeal of solo and couple travel, and still encourage that where it’s safe and feasible. However, at times, if may be a lot safer and advisable to travel in a larger group. This can be especially so if you’re someone who will stand out more, and are at a higher risk of being targeted.

Be Prepared to Encounter Law Enforcement

Travelers can easily attract police attention. There are great cops out there who do tough work and help people, and there are also those (a minority, but one that can do a lot of damage) who abuse their badge – and the latter do a great deal of harm.

See the ACLU’s guide to being stopped by police officers, and know your rights before you get out there.

While traveling, always, always carry your identification documents with you. If you are visiting from outside the USA, be sure to have your passport, and any visa or other documents related to your visit. Make sure that a trusted contact elsewhere also has backup copies of everything for you.

Be Thoughtful About Carrying Weapons

This might be tempting, and it might be right for some people – but never carry weapons that you aren’t prepared to use if needed, or aren’t skilled at using. Learn how to use them first – otherwise, they can be a greater danger to you than not having them around.

I’m not advising anybody either way in terms of carrying weapons – it’s ultimately a personal decision as to whether or not to have them, and also what kinds to have. Just avoid buying them in a panic and assuming that they’ll always protect you, without making sure you are well trained in using them properly.

For one thing, an attacker can easily take your weapons from you, if you hesitate in the moment to use them, or you don’t use them correctly and they are ineffective in stopping the perpetrator. For another thing, children can get ahold of incorrectly stored weapons, which can sadly be a disaster.

We’re In This Together

It is a deeply unfortunate reality that some people will generally face a higher risk in traveling around than others. You know who you are.

For those whose risk is less (likely the case if you’ve never thought about whether you’ll stand out or blend in somewhere), I urge you to look out for others more vulnerable than yourself, and speak out to others in your similar position about such, as well (of course, always listen to people about what they might need, rather than assuming it’s the same as what you think you’d need).

As Always, Fight For What’s Right

Keep up this fight against fascism and abuse of power. Lots of Americans are fighting what’s happening, and we’re not going to take it lying down. There are plenty of ways to get involved, and resist letting this country get completely ruined by billionaires who want to stir up hate so that they can try and rob us blind. We can do far more together than we can alone.

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Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to safely enjoying the best of this country, while avoiding its worst. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” and subscribe, if you have not already.

Check out my other blog, too – World Class Hugs, at https://worldclasshugs.com.

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