We've largely been able to put aside our differences and unite together to defend against the reactionaries.
I remember about a year ago the landscape of the site was quite different; posts were still largely positive, but people were tearing into each other more harshley in the comments if they disagreed with the other's brand of leftism.
While federation has exposed us all to a fair share of horrific takes, it has also united us all in a Hexbear-versus-the-world sort of way. In some ways, I like how the inner community feels a lot more now, and it makes me hopeful for the future.
Relatedly, thanks everybody for keeping the dunk tank in !the_dunk_tank@hexbear.net so I can choose when I'm willing to expose myself to it.
We have become a new vanguard against the reactionaries and the transphobes.
I do wish there was a way for individual comms to automatically ban or delete posts if they come from other instances. It would really help keep some of the spaces safer from the vile shit that's spilling into them. For instance auto ban anyone who isn't a Hexbear who posts in any of the trans spaces just to ensure that community can maintain a safe space.
I do have hope that within a few days most of the vile shitheads will be banned so our safe space communities are actually safe space communities again