In a thought-provoking commentary on America’s political landscape, veteran journalist and activist Elizabeth Whitney draws some pretty bold parallels between today’s political divisions and the old days of segregation. She suggests certain regions have turned into safe havens for political expression, while others are growing more restrictive by the year.
Her perspective, published in the Marin Independent Journal, paints Marin County as a “deep blue” sanctuary. It’s a place where, in her view, folks can push back against what she sees as governmental overreach without risking much.
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This analysis looks at the growing political polarization in America. Whitney calls on Marin County residents to step up and protect basic freedoms.
The New American Divide: Red vs. Blue States
The political geography of America has changed a lot in recent years. Whitney sees a sharp split between “red” and “blue” states.
Here in Marin County, where Richardson Bay’s waters meet the hills of Mill Valley, it’s easy to feel a bit removed from the national chaos. Still, Whitney argues politics has seeped into almost every part of American life.
Now, free expression seems to depend a lot on where you live. That’s a little unsettling, isn’t it?
Whitney says the current administration has been “savaging the norms of government.” She worries about what this means for civil liberties—stuff most Americans probably assumed was untouchable.
From San Rafael to Novato, Marin residents might be watching these changes from a pretty safe spot. After all, voters here went overwhelmingly (80.6%) for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Consequences of Political Expression
Whitney shares stories from around the country where people faced real consequences just for speaking out against Executive Branch policies. Some got expelled from schools, fired from jobs, or even kicked out of community groups simply for sharing dissenting views.
Sure, these cases might feel far from the calm streets of Fairfax or Larkspur. But Whitney believes they point to a bigger threat to democracy in America.
She’s especially alarmed by comparisons between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and old-school authoritarian police forces. Reports of people detained without proper warrants, separated from families, and denied access to lawyers have civil liberties advocates from Tiburon to West Marin on edge.
Marin County: A Sanctuary for Free Expression
Whitney calls Marin County a “deep blue” safe zone. Here, people can speak their minds and challenge the status quo without worrying about serious backlash.
The progressive values that shape places like Sausalito and San Anselmo might give residents a real shot at resisting what Whitney sees as creeping fascism in America.
The American Blue Book
Inspired by “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” which once helped Black families travel during segregation, Whitney has self-published “The American Blue Book.” This new guide highlights areas where political resistance can happen more safely.
It’s a bit sobering to realize that, for some, political expression now depends on geography—just like it did for marginalized groups in America’s past.
Whitney thinks districts with 80% or higher progressive voting—like Corte Madera, Kentfield, and other Marin towns—might be the last truly safe places to push back against current policies.
A Call to Action for Marin Residents
Even in progressive spots like Marin County, economic polarization runs deep. Whitney urges locals to step up, support resistance efforts, and look out for folks who might be more vulnerable.
From Belvedere to Bolinas, she sees Marin communities holding a pretty privileged position. She thinks they ought to use that to protect basic American freedoms.
In her words, Marin County needs to “find its warrior heart” and really show up for civil liberties. Living in one of America’s most progressive regions means you might have both the freedom and the responsibility to push back against what Whitney sees as threats to democracy.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin Voice: America has become the land of the not so free
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