YoungDemCA
YoungDemCA's JournalWhy is rural America, on average, more conservative than urban America?
Especially considering that urban/metropolitan counties are, on average, wealthier than rural counties.
Is there a difference between the way each individual economic class votes in urban and rural areas? In other words, are rich people in rural areas more conservative, on average, than rich people in urban areas, and likewise with middle-class and poor people in rural areas?
This is something that I kind of scratch my head about. Is it reflective of a broader cultural divide? What are some of the real reasons? I mean, it's easy to say "rural people are less educated/ignorant so they vote Republican" but that's a crass stereotype (not to mention really, really condescending to rural Americans).
So what do you think the reasons are? Any insights from rural DU'ers, past or present?
Please no bashing of rural (or urban) areas here. 
When did pointing out privilege become a personal attack?
Far too often, in discussions both online and IRL ("in real life"
, I have observed the following:
Somebody makes the (well-documented, well-supported) observation that, for example, on average, white people are wealthier than people of color, or that men have many social and economic privileges that women don't, or that straight people have a lot privileges through marriage laws that LGBT people do not have...
And inevitably, somebody else becomes very defensive, saying that they are straight, white, and/or male, and THEY do not "feel" privileged, or have been treated like shit by their employer, or that THEY "earned" everything they have, without any kind of preferential treatment due to broader social factors. In other words, this defensive person assumes that they are personally being blamed for the plight of under-privileged and disadvantaged social groups, and so get angry at that perceived implication.
Or even worse, I see people denying that male privilege, straight privilege, or white privilege exist at all in American society (and other societies, as well). They say that one of the hallmarks of privilege is being able to deny that it's real...
The problem is, some people have this underlying, implicit belief that when the social definitions of whiteness, maleness, and straightness (to name just three good examples) are scrutinized, questioned, and criticized, they themselves are being criticized on an individual, personal basis for being white, straight, or male. In other words, these people attach their personal self-worth to the social categories that they are in. I really don't think that the intention of any of those who wish to call attention to the problems of privilege in society is to denigrate every man, every white person, or every straight person for being male, white, and/or straight. If that is the intention, that person isn't worth talking to.
We're trying to make the world a better place, but we can't just do it by singing "Kumbaya" together-at least, that isn't the first step, nor is it the second or third. The first step to dealing with privilege is recognizing that it exists (and I'm willing to bet that most of us here on DU have some form of privilege, relatively speaking, whether we admit it or not), acknowledging the impact it has in society, and learning from and listening to those who are most negatively affected by it. I readily admit that I myself have blind spots, that I myself do not know everything or even close to everything (an impossible task), and that I can learn from others, regardless of who they are.
This discussion, BTW, is very, very controversial...which is what makes it so important to have. Those who would do their best to shut down discussion, any discussion, would rather us not talk about this subject, because privileged (whoops-don't call them privileged!) people get "offended" and "outraged" by it. If DU doesn't talk about it, though-who will? Free Republic? Some "centrist" website? A Libertarian/Ron Paul forum? Please.
This discussion is by no means over. I, and many others here, will not stop bringing it up, because we are under no illusions that social, economic, and political privileges will just disappear overnight. The discussion is only the beginning.
My moral conscience is offended by right-wing policies, and I hope yours is as well.
My moral conscience is not offended by gay people who want to have the same rights and benefits of marriage that straight people enjoy.
My moral conscience is not offended by the activism for the rights of women, which include (but are by no means limited to) the right to have control over her own body.
My moral conscience is not offended by ethnic and racial minorities demanding equal rights.
My moral conscience is not offended by atheists, non-Christian religions, or the separation of church and state.
My moral conscience is not offended by social welfare programs, like unemployment insurance, or TANF, or food stamps, nor is it offended by Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.
My moral conscience is not offended by a highly progressive tax system.
However....
My moral conscience is offended by Corporate America, who in their ruthless quest for quick profits, "externalize" their costs to the public, a steep price to pay for greed.
My moral conscience is offended by wars for profit and resources.
My moral conscience is offended by the desire and urge to dominate, oppress, and subjugate people, whether it be based on race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or religious background.
My moral conscience is offended by policies that steal from the poor and middle class to reward the rich.
My moral conscience is offended by "divide-and-conquer" politics and tactics that pit lower and middle class people against each other, all for the benefit of the wealthy and powerful in society.
Most of all, my moral conscience is offended when good people do not take action to stop injustices.
We have a lot of work to do, my friends, and it won't be easy, by any means. But I believe we can rise to the occasion, meet the challenge head on, and leave a better world for our children and grandchildren, and for everybody after.
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: CA
Home country: USA
Member since: Wed Jan 18, 2012, 11:29 PM
Number of posts: 5,714
