Saw a local gathering of people with American flags on the corner of my street. Went over and walked up to say hello and see what's what.
cont...

The group was initially very cautious of me. Several folks with long guns spoke on radios to one another as I approached and kept a close eye on me. Eventually, I found someone in charge, a very nice older woman, and had a conversation.

She explained that they are a "patriot group" that meets there every Friday to wave flags and stand up for freedom. They try and keep things non-political. Of the twenty or so people there, I only saw one Trump sign/flag. The rest were all Don't Tread on Me or American flags.

With the organizer's blessing, I walked around and spoke to several people in the group, explaining that I'm a local blogger/Twitter type and was interested in hearing the thoughts of everyday people. A handful wouldn't speak to me, but others were very friendly and inviting.

A older gentleman with a massive santa beard and rifle, sitting on the tailgate of his truck, waved me over. He shook my hand and asked me who I was. I explained my center-right views and my blog, and he grinned and gave me a fist-bump.

He said he was happy that the Right is a big tent and "all about tolerance and love". He mentioned people like @BrandonStraka and how glad he was that the Right can accept everyone, as long as they want good for others.

I also met a man who was in Kenosha and was actually in a group with Kyle Rittenhouse at one point during Night 3. He told me about things that didn't make it into the mainstream news. He appreciated my interest in hearing first-hand accounts and invited me to further rallies.

There were a lot of folks my age and younger as well, one in a leather jacket with a huge Don't Tread On Me" flag. She told me she was from Milwaukee and her friend, who was also there, recently moved to the area. Both seemed to me like right-centrist people from what I heard.

I learned a few things tonight, many of them good.

1) The group was overwhelmingly positive and calm. When people driving past yelled "FUCK TRUMP!!", they would return with rounds of "We love you!" and "God loves you!"

2) The stereotype is true for some, and complete bunk for others. As I and many others have said, what is considered "Right" is a massive group collective and vast in its ideological range. The only binding trait seems to be a desire for the country to continue to exist.

and 3) These people are scared.
My cold welcome and the refusal to speak with me made me realize just how tense the situation is. While there were smiles and happy music and an overall pride, the cool undertone of fear was intensely evident.

I am not intimidated by people wielding firearms. That is a result of a good upbringing. I respect the weapon, and that was not the source of the fear. They did not trust me because I am a young white college-age female, and they have been harassed by people like me in the past.

I spoke to the man who was at Kenosha, and he told me people were nervous because many had also been there, and had seen the violence firsthand. One man refused to shake my hand or speak to me because I could be "fake press and smear him".

A young woman offhandedly mentioned how easy it would be for a car to ride upon the curb and take some of us out.

These people, individuals that just want to wave their country's flag, were terrified.

I hardly live in a hostile area when it comes to the Right. WOW counties are extremely Conservative, but we are alarmingly close to Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and many other areas experiencing conflict.

I intend to go back to this group and meet more people there. I was left a little rattled by the mistrust, though I understand it completely, but it was an overall positive experience. I just can't shake the feeling of unease it left me with.

That wasn't the fear of "big brother" coming to get you. It wasn't fear like I remember from the Tea Parties as a kid. It's something deeper... something more grave. It was a dread that something was coming, and we're finding out where everyone stands.

As with every time I've dipped my toes into the "real world" or journalism, it hits me how tight the bow is strung. This wasn't anger seconds away from spilling over like we see with BLM or Antifa... it's a quiet, creeping acceptance that we might get to "that" point.

I didn't get the impression that people there, even the more "gun-ho" looking guys, were itching for a fight. They don't want this. And no one should.

I'm dancing around saying it, but every time I talk to folks on the ground, I can't help but feel that ever-present escalation of events.
All I can say, we all have to keep our heads.
No matter what happens, stay calm. Strive for empathy, and do what you think is right.

Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

Stay safe, everyone. No matter who you are or what you believe, you aren't alone. We're all on this crazy train together.