Those rebel flags are aimed at you.

[HassleCat]

You always thought so, of course. Now I can confirm that it's done, at least in my area, to intimidate black people and discourage them from moving to small cities in rural Pennsylvania. That's right, Pennsylvania, not the deep south.

This comes from someone who knows two individuals who display the "Stainless Banner" on their property. They are disturbed by a number of black women who moved to the area recently. Their theory is it's because Section 8 housing is easier to get, and the overall cost of living is lower than in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Of course, children, husbands, boyfriends, etc. come along and this creates the impression the area is being flooded with a wave of welfare families. I have no idea if there is even the tiniest grain of truth in all this. My suspicion is, there are a handful of welfare families, and the stereotype is applied as stereotypes always are.

Anyway, the rebel flags are supposed to scare away black people. It's a very specific, if unorganized, campaign to keep black people from moving here. I guess they figure black people have never seen the rebel flag, and will be so overcome by fear they will drive straight back to Pittsburgh. Or something like that.

Here comes the part I probably don't even have to tell you. They're just fine with welfare for themselves, white people. They think it's fine and dandy when the public assistance system picks up the tab for their drug and alcohol rehab, prenatal services, food stamps, WIC checks, and all the rest. They get pissed, really pissed, when I remind them of this, as I was foolish enough to do a couple times. They're different, not just because they're white, although that's the primary reason. Their families have been here a long time. It's the old, "We built this town..." thing.

So that's the news from here.

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended. Some numbers:

Nationally, most of the people who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are white. According to 2013 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, 40.2 percent of SNAP recipients are white, 25.7 percent are black, 10.3 percent are Hispanic, 2.1 percent are Asian and 1.2 percent are Native American.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/28/food-stamp-demographics_n_6771938.html

[SwankyXomb]

2. Doesn't surprise me

The old joke is that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philadelphia on the other, and Alabama in the middle.

[AwakeAtLast]

3. It could just as easily be Indiana

I see many, many Confederate flags here. The KKK is also alive and well here, unfortunately.

I have a friend whose second husband happens to be black (she's white). Her family did not realize how racist people were until her white children began to be bullied because they have black step-siblings. They had to change schools.

[Ellen Forradalom]

10. I see them in Wisconsin

I'm always flabbergasted

[packman]

4. Bet it is in the south west part of Pennsylvania

The people there are more clannish than the Hatfields and McCoys. Closed steel mills, abject poverty, closed minds doesn't foster much in the way of brotherhood. When I left towns were suffering from a diminishing tax base and having problems meeting even the most basic of civic needs.

[wcast]

7. You also find this across the whole northern tier.

Flags on homes, backs of pickup trucks. They believe, or so they say, it only shows country pride. I, on the other hand,always have a visceral reaction of racism.

[keithbvadu2]

5. Heritage 1

?1434818045

[keithbvadu2]

6. Heritage 2

?1434891904

[kwassa]

8. Ignorance is spread universally throughout the United States.

No area is exempt.

[bluestateguy]

9. I think that is a big part of what that flag is designed to do

I remember once visiting an all white frat house at a Southern university back in the 90's. There were many Confederate flags in the lobby and elsewhere. I suspect that was meant to send a message that black people are not welcome here.

[Number23]

11. Is this your awakening or have you always suspected these things?

[HassleCat]

12. I always suspected

But this is the first time I learned of a specific reason.

[heaven05]

13. +++++

I like the part where they get pissed at the truth of their usage of welfare programs.