Algodones Dunes / “Thin Blue Line” / Thanksgiving 2020 (# 0596)

A close up of the group in the previous photo. A couple of points here re politics and dune-buggy culure….

Politics: The only expressions of politics (other than lots of American flags) we saw while exploring the dunes were some people flying the ‘Thin Blue Line’ American Flag (see the second buggy from the right in this photo.) The flag itself started out in 2014 as an expression of support for policing during periods when we were having large demonstrations against race-biased policing. Being from a social group with a long history of police harassment (gays), I get worried when there are demonstrations in support of policing – but the flag’s interpretation has gone much further than just support for policing. With the increase in social divisiveness that the Trump administration has multiplied, the flag has come to be also interpreted as a symbol of white supremacy, racism, homophobia – crazed nationalism in general. So, when you see one, you don’t know if it is ‘just’ support for police, or for much more. (BTW, the flag on the far left is Arizona’s state flag.)

Dune-buggy wealth: When I was a teen in Florida in the 1960’s, people built dune-buggies out of old cars that had been junked and it was a hobby of people who had mechanical skills but little money (i.e., my brothers). The modern dune-buggy culture still seems to be ‘blue collar’ in expression, but I wonder about the money. The buggies themselves seem to be in the $12K-$20K (and more) range and then people are out here for a long weekend in large RV’s that cost $60K or so, and they have expensive enclosed trailers to haul their buggies. So, it’s not a poor man’s sport.