*Authors note, we believe that censoring words is a form of patronizing people. This article uses the word “fag” while talking about a group of people who seem to use the word liberally. We believe it is important to accurately represent discussions and be brutally honest, so we include swear words in our articles with the assumption that people will be mature enough to read these words and take it in context. With that said, content warning.
A socialist in the Badlands
Jeremy lives deep in the badlands— the most conservative part of the country. This is the heart of separatist culture in Alberta, and also a place where being on the left means that you might not be able to get a job.
“I’m quiet. Quiet to the point of denial if pressed,” Jeremy said. “For employment, I would deny it, yes.”
He moved here as a career move— a good job was offered, and if he stomachs the problems he’s facing for a couple years, he’ll be able to move elsewhere and line up a better job.
But the sacrifice is steep.
Jeremy grew up in the east, raised in a highly conservative small town. It’s not as though conservatism is something that he fears, or something that bothers him so much, despite his opposition to its ideas— but in the Badlands, things are different.
“Immigration, or indigenous people, anything remotely queer is immediately attacked. There’s no discussion. There’s no listening to another side. Anything related to those subjects is inherently evil, and has to be attacked with vitriol. The more moderate people will pass you off as an idiot— you’re a woke easterner who doesn’t know anything. It’s likely going to end up in a racist tirade against Indians,” He said.
His partner, an immigrant from Europe, is white. But she has an accent. Still, people don’t consider her an immigrant because of the tone of her skin. She’ll be at the gym, working out and will hear people talking openly about their grievances— “fags are taking over the government, all the government cares about is getting more fags, making our kids fags,” they’ll say without any remorse, or second thought.
“It’s extreme and out of touch. It’s like stepping into an alternate universe within Canada.”