Slate--Here Comes the Hillbilly, Again: What Honey Boo Boo really says about American culture.

[antigone382]

18. Well of course they are.

When your only options are basically working for the coal company, working in some low wage service industry, or selling drugs, of course you're going to be pro-coal. When the majority of the politicians (including the Democratic ones) and the majority of the media, and the majority of virtually every other outlet from which you're going to get information, are bought and paid for by the coal companies, of course you're going to be pro-coal. But it wasn't always that way--it took more than a century of propaganda and oppression for the coal companies to achieve the absolute, unquestioned hegemony you see today.

But Judy sure as Hell isn't the only "authentic" Appalachian taking the stand that she's taking, or taking other progressive stances, such as support for the glbtq community. It takes a lot of bravery to take those kinds of stances, and it is painful enough that you will encounter the hostility of your own family, friends, and community for doing it. When the people who should be your political allies get their rocks off laughing at things that go to the core of who you are and what you come from, it leaves you feeling totally isolated and genuinely marginalized.