I understand, and I've already received warnings in the form of gunfire (which I've written about here.)

Only a handful of Medium writers can connect my online presence to my IRL presence, and that's hardly by accident.

I think what may eventually cause me great harm is my collection of attire, which I ALWAYS wear in public here in the rural deep south. Mostly those on the right don't/won't/can't read, and if the message contains something like an American flag, the names "TRUMP" or "JESUS" (or a cross), not only will the rest of the message generally be ignored, but a couple of times one of those fools (wearing their own pro-Trump attire) has saluted me in some way.

I once saw a woman instantly go from friendly to terrified of me as soon as I stood up and she saw “TRUMPLESS AMERICA” on my sweatshirt, so I have to presume she went home that night to tell her family about the “baby eating Democrat” she had seen. (None of that is a joke in any degree. I believe I could have died that day had the wrong person arrived to pick her up from the doctor’s waiting room and seen their beloved grandmother shaking so badly. And had she then described not what she saw, but her interpretation of what she saw.)

All it takes is one “wrong time, wrong place” for you or me, or so many others who want nothing more than justice and equality, to find ourselves bleeding out in public.

Why do we take such risks when, as white men, we could turn our backs and never pay any price at the hands of these people(sic)? I think I know why you do it, Walter. I do it because it gives me a sense of empowerment, as it also gives those who feel like we do, and who see me wearing them. (And for you, for readers to take strength from your powerful words and ideas. And your courage.) But for me it says to everyone, “I’m not one of them, and I will stand with you even if there is a price to be paid. Some things are worth a price.”

Thank you for your courage, Walter.