this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2024
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As I replied further up the thread, it's an investigative process. I used to be a part of that community a very long time ago before I chose to throw my life away for about 10 years.
I grew up in a muslim household, and if people knew what went on in those families, they would understand when I say I don't generally associate with that crowd. Similar to how you feel about Buddhists.
I can't speak for the predatory behaviour, because back in the early 2000's it was all bush doofs and lsd. Or maybe I didn't notice.
I'm surprised to hear that a portion of that community has turned towards the right wing. I hadn't heard that before. That's actually fucking insane. Maybe they're not as anti-racist as I had assumed.
As for the "woo-woo", I don't particularly subscribe to much of that, but I am agnostic, and find that crowd at least willing to discuss things around that idea. Can't say I've had any luck finding people into that sort of thing in the circles I've travelled the last 8 or so years. I don't subscribe to Identity Politics, so I'm generally unwelcome in Progressive circles despite being left wing myself.
Appreciate the info though.
I think even they don't know it themselves. The podcast "Conspirituality" is pretty good at investigating this stuff, from what I hear. I think it's a distinctly post-Trump thing that went into overdrive with Covid. Distrusting the lockdown and vaccine measures opened up huge swathes to hardcore rightwing communities that were ready to suck them in and provide them with a sense of community in a time of crisis overriding rational thought (which was unfortunately the basis of many hippie groups in the first place tbh).
Not subscribing to identity politics is also a hard one with progressive circles as you mentioned.
Every "scene" has its downside tbh, especially if you have a difficult past and/or are not white. It's an everyday task to rewire the brain to allow moments of belonging and areas of common ground to sink in, vs the sometimes disproportionate amount of attention given to the moments of not-belonging. Hard to not be hyper vigilant and to trust. Trying to seek a community in that frame of mind is difficult...
I figured that vaccines and lockdowns would be the thing that brought them across to the right. And it's not surprising that the right welcomed them with open arms to swell their numbers.
You make an interesting point about fitting in. For me, it resonates that I would have a disproportionate perception of not fitting in. The 2 natural communities I would belong to, I don't want anything to do with. One of them being Alcoholics Anonymous.
I generally keep my past to myself in real life. Which creates a sort of glass wall between myself and others. I feel that the "hippie" community would be less inclined to judge me harshly for the life I've lived previously, than say, the average person.
But you've given me something to consider. Thank you :)