As extremism continues to rise, diverse women are stepping up to share their harrowing stories and fight for change. Red Wine & Blue, a community of half a million diverse women organizing against extremism in their communities, is at the forefront of this movement. Through interviews and conversations, they shed light on the disturbing trends they are witnessing.
Among the rising forms of extremism are attempted book bans by groups like Moms for Liberty and Take Back Our Schools, as well as instances of gun violence by white supremacists. Additionally, there have been attacks on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ individuals by the Republican party. Women from all walks of life have been affected, from survivors of gun violence to educators and trans activists. Their stories highlight the toll that extremism is taking on children, from the fear experienced during active shooter drills to the threat of violence towards transgender individuals.
In Ohio, Red Wine & Blue volunteers have been working tirelessly to engage with fellow Ohioans across the political spectrum, advocating for the protection of reproductive healthcare and democracy. Recently, voters, especially women, turned out in force against Issue 1, a frivolous $20 million special election orchestrated by Ohio Republican politicians. The aim was to raise the threshold for citizen-led ballot proposals from a simple majority to 60%. Across the country, mainstream Americans are also making their voices heard by rejecting book bans and extreme school board candidates supported by politicians like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
One of the first women interviewed for the limited series podcast ‘The Cost of Extremism’ was Mia Tretta, a survivor of the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, CA. During the interview, she revealed that instead of living a normal teenage life, she is advocating in Washington, D.C. for stronger gun legislation. Tretta expressed her concern over Republicans easing restrictions on carrying firearms rather than increasing gun regulation. The idea of bringing more guns into schools and training children to fight off shooters is a reality that she refuses to accept.
Another interviewee, Alejandra Caraballo, a trans activist, shared her experiences with the alarming amount of hate and disinformation directed towards transgender individuals, particularly youth. She spoke about extremists who seek to strip funding from children’s hospitals that provide gender-affirming care. Caraballo emphasized that gender-affirming care starts with creating a loving and supportive environment, including therapy and support. The rise of anti-trans bills, with an unprecedented 566 introduced in 2023, is a cause for concern, as they restrict which sports teams trans kids can play on and what bathroom they can use at school.
Jennifer Jenkins, a school board member in Florida, also detailed her experiences with harassment and intimidation from extremist groups like Moms for Liberty. These groups aim to undermine public education, block accurate history lessons, and divide communities through book bans and targeting LGBTQ+ children. Jenkins shared how people showed up in front of her home with signs defaming her and how she endured constant trauma. Despite the challenges, she remained steadfast in her commitment to pushing forward.
These stories depict the reality of extremism and its impact on our nation. If left unchecked, extremism threatens our communities, public education, and democracy. Wake-up calls like ‘The Cost of Extremism’ aim to bring attention to these pressing issues. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the dangers extremism poses and take action to protect the future of our children and our democracy.
