General Discussion

IronLionZion

(51,729 posts)

54. Can confirm

Sun Nov 24, 2019, 07:31 PM

Nov 2019

I'm from rural Appalachia and see old classmates constantly posting stuff about immigrants when there just aren't very many in the small town we're from. A fellow posted a meme with Trump's smug face and how when Americans had problems in this country there was a revolution and a civil war, instead of immigrating to some other country.

I pointed out that Trump's family came to America after both those wars, and same with the fellow who posted it. Several of his buddies piled on to tell me that I should quit my job and move to another country.

I've gotten that a lot my whole life because I'm brown. Even before Trump's election, people I grew up with would ask me when am I going to move to India to live and work, not just visit.

It's the racism.

I used to defend Appalachian-Americans as being less racist than city people I've encountered or make excuses that they don't know many minorities so they don't know any better. But Trump has really brought out the worst elements deep inside people and it's undeniable these days. I have relative who last year flew from Kentucky to Pittsburgh because they felt it was not safe to drive through West Virginia.

People may have economic anxiety but racism makes them blame immigrants and minorities for it.

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I grew up in rural, small-town America -- I can tell you the real reason why people love Donald Trump [View all] Kablooie Nov 2019 OP

BS! Tell them that WE all come from the same country. BigmanPigman Nov 2019 #1

that sure as hell ain't gonna fly with these morons.. i wish it would... pangaia Nov 2019 #25

They're racist, the end. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #2

+1 Phoenix61 Nov 2019 #4

Pretty much this StarfishSaver Nov 2019 #14

Agree n/t hibbing Nov 2019 #15

Agree. Simply true. Onthefly Nov 2019 #16

+1 dalton99a Nov 2019 #19

+infinity ismnotwasm Nov 2019 #20

Because they vote Buckeyeblue Nov 2019 #31

For the sake of brevity, Newest Reality Nov 2019 #36

And to make matters worse Republican politicians understand this and play to it. Buckeyeblue Nov 2019 #40

On Spot! Newest Reality Nov 2019 #42

Oh, come on- The Mouth Nov 2019 #43

Accusing and describing are two different things. Progressive Jones Nov 2019 #74

Not my point The Mouth Nov 2019 #91

Good post. Zaphod42 Nov 2019 #67

Or we figure out how to get more metropolitan people to vote. Blue_true Nov 2019 #60

No NewJeffCT Nov 2019 #102

I think we need to fight fire with fire TheRealNorth Nov 2019 #106

They are voting "in their own interests." The problem is their "interests." Garrett78 Nov 2019 #117

Bigotry is the bigger tent, racists are one group of bigots OhNo-Really Nov 2019 #34

They vote DownriverDem Nov 2019 #38

Spot on. snacker Nov 2019 #52

+2 gopiscrap Nov 2019 #53

Can confirm IronLionZion Nov 2019 #54

Ding ding ding ding!!!! Alpeduez21 Nov 2019 #55

Also sexist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic and so on. Initech Nov 2019 #70

Racist, yes atreides1 Nov 2019 #76

We don't have to keep trying that. Lock him up. Nov 2019 #86

Umhm. GreatER value and need for conformity's one of the 3 main Hortensis Nov 2019 #3

Peer pressure dominates randr Nov 2019 #5

I've recognized the enormous resentment-- dawg day Nov 2019 #6

There is also a self selection bias. The ones who choose to stay are less open to change Dream Girl Nov 2019 #12

50% are always below average kiri Nov 2019 #41

and if anyone wants to be totally honest about the U.S.learning curve, lindysalsagal Nov 2019 #88

Add to that the fact that rural life isn't what it was Maeve Nov 2019 #17

When you know your history lunatica Nov 2019 #37

Yes-- the factory towns deteriorate when the factory leaves dawg day Nov 2019 #61

Wanting to move away from slow stagnation lunatica Nov 2019 #69

Their grandparents or parents did have it better in the 50s. Blue_true Nov 2019 #66

Also when the nation's employers discriminated against minorities and women... dawg day Nov 2019 #71

Excellent point about discrimination against minorities in the 50s. Blue_true Nov 2019 #73

I have.found that often the only free media cilla4progress Nov 2019 #7

A stupid man's idea of a smart man. A poor man's idea of a rich man. BuffaloJackalope Nov 2019 #8

True, I think also if you are born rural is a big factor Beringia Nov 2019 #9

I think it has less to do with being born rural... markpkessinger Nov 2019 #114

Thanks for sharing your story Beringia Nov 2019 #115

People born rural, though, are much more likely than others to never leave their hometown. Garrett78 Nov 2019 #116

Interesting. I'll add in another cultural influence and conditioning underpants Nov 2019 #10

it's the talk radio that makes the difference. city people have no clue, like the MSNBC panel this certainot Nov 2019 #44

Very true oswaldactedalone Nov 2019 #47

Oh+the RW talk radio is in the city too .I think Chicago still has at least 2 AMs going lunasun Nov 2019 #72

in cities it's democratic .in the cities where there are choices(free speech). and that's certainot Nov 2019 #81

I agree. I posted about it last week. The Hannity test. underpants Nov 2019 #89

i think the hardcore is much smaller than the media make it out to be and there's a huge certainot Nov 2019 #90

✅ underpants Nov 2019 #99

lol yes and lyrics to the effect they are treestar Nov 2019 #96

they think they are entitled to a great job and success while... Thomas Hurt Nov 2019 #11

Where do you live Skidmore Nov 2019 #59

I grew up in a small town in Colorado. I lived with them, the good and the bad. Thomas Hurt Nov 2019 #62

I have sent links to the articles about how CEO's have such a higher incidence of psychopathology Maraya1969 Nov 2019 #13

This should be it's own thread I_UndergroundPanther Nov 2019 #77

OK done. But I believe it has been said before. It is good information to be reminded of though Maraya1969 Nov 2019 #80

NY yankee Trump calls a large part of his base 'dumb Southerners' and they still love him. keithbvadu2 Nov 2019 #18

Recommended. guillaumeb Nov 2019 #21

willful ignorance is a tragic, destructive thing NRaleighLiberal Nov 2019 #22

One key point in this piece is how he uses "allegations of corruption against him" ... Maribelle Nov 2019 #23

As I think the attitude is bs.... LakeArenal Nov 2019 #24

I want to add to my comment, but so many people agree with it that I don't want to edit it, WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2019 #26

It's a serious problem Joinfortmill Nov 2019 #27

the solution is Skittles Nov 2019 #29

"He's practically a hometown success story." So they are stupid. I get it now. JDC Nov 2019 #28

yes, I heard two people on a city bus go on and on about how they wanted to be like Trump. Grasswire2 Nov 2019 #32

I propose required national service at age 18 in a community unlike your own. Grasswire2 Nov 2019 #30

Oh, God. This again. We aren't allowed to say that people voted for Trump because they are Squinch Nov 2019 #33

Of course not. cannabis_flower Nov 2019 #57

If we can get just 10% more white rural voters on our side DBoon Nov 2019 #104

If true, then rural areas and small towns dominated by minorites would love Trump Kaleva Nov 2019 #35

There are some towns treestar Nov 2019 #97

You nailed it. Evolve Dammit Nov 2019 #39

I have family in rural America Boomer Nov 2019 #45

+1 Docreed2003 Nov 2019 #65

you brought a depth of understanding to their way of thinking that I really appreciate renate Nov 2019 #103

It's difficult to get in the mindset of people who don't know things we take for granted Boomer Nov 2019 #108

I loved your post--thank you so much! renate Nov 2019 #111

the racism, ignorance, and alt reality are caused by dems and liberals ignoring talk radio certainot Nov 2019 #46

Oddly, hate radio has little impact on minorities in rural areas. Kaleva Nov 2019 #49

I can't imagine why you think that's odd. Mariana Nov 2019 #93

I disagree Kaleva Nov 2019 #105

And don't forget brutus smith Nov 2019 #48

What's that supposed to mean? Bayard Nov 2019 #51

That we from rural areas are inbreds...not even trying to disguise it. AncientGeezer Nov 2019 #64

Most but not all brutus smith Nov 2019 #100

Being related in no way equates to what you insinuated..you KNOW what that was.. AncientGeezer Nov 2019 #109

My wife and I don't have any of the same relatives. brutus smith Nov 2019 #113

I know everything I need to about the soulless vile fake Christian Right. onecaliberal Nov 2019 #50

This constant bashing of rural America has got to stop. totodeinhere Nov 2019 #56

Thank you.. AncientGeezer Nov 2019 #63

when will they quit city bashing? treestar Nov 2019 #95

I live in (always have) a rural area...and have a Degree...my family also AncientGeezer Nov 2019 #110

"This constant bashing of rural America has got to stop." Mariana Nov 2019 #112

White mediocrity will be the death of America. MrScorpio Nov 2019 #58

The difference in my younger brother and I..... Bayard Nov 2019 #68

Definitely nurture. Duppers Nov 2019 #79

This is one of the best threads. leanforward Nov 2019 #75

if you vote for a racist pig you are a racist pig ...... stonecutter357 Nov 2019 #78

Counterpoint: Tactical Peek Nov 2019 #82

"To them, he's practically a hometown success story." -Inherited millions, not from rural area. But NCLefty Nov 2019 #83

This message was self-deleted by its author NCLefty Nov 2019 #84

I hate it when people unfriend someone telling the truth JonLP24 Nov 2019 #85

A report from rural agricultural MI. roamer65 Nov 2019 #87

Sounds like a grand business opportunity for the Wall Street hedge funds TheRealNorth Nov 2019 #107

I think a part of it is tied to UpInArms Nov 2019 #92

This is absolutely true. Mariana Nov 2019 #94

There are plenty of suburban admirers too treestar Nov 2019 #98

Lots of truth but the US population is by far urban nowadays captain queeg Nov 2019 #101

Much can and should be done for rural America without futilely... Garrett78 Nov 2019 #118