General Discussion

Last edited Mon Feb 9, 2026, 03:19 PM - Edit history (1)

In eastern North Carolina out where Fontana Lake is now.
They had all come from semi-literate people who had fled indentured servitude; they hung out with the local Natives, were neutral during the Revolutionary war, (though always expressed preference for Democracy and fair application of Law) and during the Antebellum period, ended up part of the Underground Railroad.
While they weren't Quakers (they had no problems with fighting if they saw a need, associating with smugglers or turning a blind eye on what they considered minor crimes for survival), they had absolutely no truck with slavery or bullies of any kind. They weren't radicals, but they did what was in their moral comfort zone to stand up against what they saw as evil and I think that's kind of the point you are talking around.

The average human cannot wrap their minds around being individually radical, to stand out and risk targeting or death unless it's to protect something or someones immediate to them.
Most people just will do what they can to further their ethical imperatives while protecting their families or friends and the ability to take care of them. Like taking food and medications to neighbors afraid to go out, or acting as clinic escorts or medics. Writing to their representatives. Protesting, boycotts, and lawsuits. Organizing to blocking access to bullies.

And while all that seems rather useless and cowardly, it's human. And yeah, we have to live with it.