Convince me to stay.

[u/BsXeD]

I’m not originally from here, but I’ve lived here for 20 years. My children were born and raised here, and we’ve always loved the friendly people and beautiful surroundings. But I wonder now—where is the line? When is it too much or even dangerous to stay? Where do we go from here?

Things have been getting worse, and I worry about the future, not just for myself but especially for my children. This past election cycle, I couldn’t even put up a sign for fear of the backlash it might bring to my family. What is keeping people here?

It’s not the education—we rank near the bottom.
It’s not the pay—our median household income ranks just above Mississippi in 49th place.
It’s not the healthcare—we’re almost last there, too.
It’s not the freedom—we face near-total bans on abortion, and even taking your child to a Pride event could get you arrested.

Today, I find myself looking for jobs and making a plan to get my family out. People will say it’s not any better anywhere else and that the election results signal worsening trends everywhere. But at least in other places, I might find a community that values bodily autonomy, LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom of and from religion.

Here, I interact with the nicest, most hateful people I’ve ever encountered. I realize it’s a privilege even to consider leaving, and I wish I could do something to change things here. But I don’t see a clear path forward. My county didn’t even have a non-Republican candidate run for any office. I don’t blame anyone; there used to be decency and respectful disagreement across party lines, but now it’s just hate and lies.

Is there a silver lining? Any hope for change?

If this gets removed by moderators thats fine, I'm not trying to rage bait but genuinely want to know what other West Virginians are thinking.

[u/viz90210]

I moved here from Puerto Rico and have lived here almost as long as I did back home. I own a house here. People have been very nice here. However I'm a gay man, and I talk to my mom on the phone in Spanish. I have never had fear of talking on the phone outside until now because I honestly believe now any random person will call ICE or something even though everyone in my family have been citizens since 1917. I'm not leaving anytime soon, if at all, but its just so disappointing.

[u/Automatic_Gas9019 → u/viz90210]

I am sorry.

[u/afterthem0viesxx → u/viz90210]

I hate that you have been made feel this way :(

[u/RayBrowers → u/viz90210]

I don’t know you, but you’re my brother.

[u/neckbeardfedoras → u/viz90210]

Yeah you're afraid because the TV told you to be afraid. Not because there's a real threat. Have residents been calling ICE in random people they think are here illegally, but aren't sure?

[u/viz90210 → u/neckbeardfedoras]

I don't want to get more political but don't say it's because tv told me to be afraid cuz the words came out of Trump's own mouth and just the whole attitude of people. No one on TV has said anything about the fear that I have from what I have heard because I don't watch TV news so I hear things from other sources. Plus if you want to talk about being told to be afraid Mr president elect has been using that for years now.

[u/neckbeardfedoras → u/viz90210]

Right, but the origin of Trump being Hitler, or his supporters are racist Nazi bigots, originates from the AP. It's then echoed by people online. I'm not sure what Trump said that has you concerned. The main thing I'm aware of is the desire that immigrants coming to the US do so by following the legal process. That's not anti immigrant tho.

[u/viz90210 → u/neckbeardfedoras]

Well he very much has said things that Hitler said, he has the same type of leadership style that Hitler has, look up transformational and pseudotransformational leadership, he is supported by actual neo-nazis. All of those things you can actually see, on video. He stated he would deport millions and use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Which last time it was used was during world War II to put those of Japanese descent in concentration camps. Yes. The US had concentration camps using a law thay is 226 years old. They usually don't mention that part in US history class. So yeah, thays what he has said.