I'm 52, grew up in a small town in il, moved to stl in my 20s because being gay in the 90s in a rural setting was just asking for trouble.
Here I am now, wanting to move back to rural America because attitudes have changed. Like, a lot.
I know this because we bought some land in ste gen county. We have a permanently parked trailer that we utilize on weekends 9 months put of the year.
I cannot talk politics on line because it's just a shit show of us and them. What I can do is hang out in vfw halls and little pubs and have a face to face conversation over a frosty mug of beer.
You know what? Nobody gets outrageous like they do on social media. It's just a conversation. food for thought, so to speak.
When I told my city friends (friends who never travel more than 5 miles from their house) that we were buying property in rural mo, they were horrified.
That was 3 years ago. Now they want to do it too. I think the more city and rural folks have a chance to interact face to face, the better the outcome will be
You engaged!!! Are there hateful folks out here? Of course, but there are awful folks everywhere. It starts with getting to know someone different that yourself and then it snowballs. I've heard someone talk negatively about immigration but then go on and on about their neighbors that run the local Mexican restaurant. It's pointing out that "those people" are the same people. They change their minds when they actually get to know someone different than themselves.
Funny story, last year when I was winterizing the trailer for the season, neighbor Bobby comes up the road to see if I need any help and to wish me well. He's wearing a let's go Brandon ball cap, I'm wearing a Hillary pants suit nation rainbow shirt. I said I'm almost finished but I appreciate the offer! We gave each other a big Ole bear hug and parted ways. So yeah. Sometimes it's just that simple to get along with one another
These days, politics seems to be about demonizing 'others' and promoting stereotypes, whether of rural or city folks. I know I get tired of hearing about how New York, where
I Iive, is a hotbed of crime and murders, when the truth is that per capita NY is safer than Mansfield, OH.
Your point about people being prejudiced against a certain class of people but then making an exception for the “nice” ones who they know rings true for everywhere. My dear grandpa, passed on many years ago, was from Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. He was an Archie Bunker type, complaining about Hispanics and Chinese and blacks— except for the Hispanic who worked on his second job loading trucks, or the black man who worked on the assembly line machines at the card factory. Or the nice Chinese grocer where he got the best bluefish. Here’s the problem. He still wouldnt vote for any of them.
Every accusation made by these types is usually a confession.
I was referring to the population at large and how differently i am treated today from 30+ years ago. There are definitely "those types" that I cannot engage with. Once they start on their Q conspiracy bs, I wish them a good day and move on. It's not worth it.
Unfortunately school and library boards have been infiltrated with evangelist types. It's also been happening in stl city an county.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It's just awful things for kids to hear. It's not fair to anyone and just drives those kids out of rural communities.
It's all about perception, rural, urban, or suburban. True story, 40+ years ago my "kids" & I were visiting my brother in South Dakota. He was a pastor of a church in Brookings but also pastored a small local church in a nearby community of about 400 people. He had a counseling appointment one day and we accompanied him to the small town and decided to look around while he was busy. We went into the General Store and immediately the clerk said "you're not from around here", and we said no we're visiting my brother who pastors the local church. Oh yeah she says I know him, where are you from? I responded we were from Gary, Indiana and she asked how big of a town is that? At the time Gary was about 150,000 people. To that she said "oh I don't think I'd like living in a big city like that"! Fast forward to our journey home on the Amtrak to Chicago. The three of us were sitting in the dining car and the host asked if we minded if a gentleman joined us, to which we replied not at all. An African-American man joined us for lunch and in our conversation I asked where he was from and he said he was from Chicago and he asked where we were from. I said oh we're your neighbor across the lake, we're in Gary Indiana. His response was "how big of a city is Gary" and I said oh we're about 150,000 people. He thought for a moment and then replied "I don't think I'd like living in such a small town". I've retold that story many times over the years to say it's all people's perception of big or small, rural or urban but we're all just people trying to make better lives for our families. We just need to listen to what's important to one another. Those "listening visits" are important.
Jess, thanks for this great post. Rural people are everywhere. I was born and raised in Massachusetts in a very small town where my home was surrounded by farms (dairy, turkey) and apple orchards. My mom was college educated but worked in a shoe factory for many years till my brother and I were old enough so she could take a corporate job. My dad worked on an assembly line at GM. People would often think we were uneducated "hicks" but we were not. All staunch Democrats, not even close to rich, but we were always excited when someone running for office would reflect our concerns, our daily experience and our values. It's important if we want people to vote Democrat that Democrats listen, speak "to" rural voters, and not "talk down" to them.
Sounds like we all need to be better listeners to each other, urban and rural. But we also need to pay attention to current events from more than one source to get the facts.
Been reading your posts for a while and I REALLY appreciate your insight into rural America, especially in this post. I’ve grown up and lived in an urban environment my whole life but have relatives from Iowa, maybe not strictly rural but they have friends who live in rural areas. I’ve seen Iowa transform gradually to where it is now. I lived there in early to mid 80’s. I know that transformation has happened all over the country , from traditional GOP to extremist TOP (Trump obstructionist party). When I ride across Iowa each summer during ragbrai I see many Trump signs. It gives me hope when I read what you write about what we can do to start changing this radicalization that’s been happening for years, decades really. I live in Michigan so I don’t know how much I can do for states like Missouri but with your guidance i would like to help. Keep up the good work!
I started reading you because Heather Richardson is on your venue. Good job explaining rural views.
I live in Kern county Calif.
A very red county in a blue state.
As a democrat, not only is there no one to vote for, I have tried to contact a representative for information for two voting cycles. Nothing on google, social media, etc. yet MAGA has offices, billboards, Facebook, etc. everywhere.
Apathy is going to lose this country for us. I am 82 and will probably not be affected, but my over fifty direct descendants will.
Deborah, I’m in Kern County too (Bakersfield). I would love to meet some other progressives , but there does not appear to be any venue or way to meet any.
The DNC should be using their funds and influence to invest in rural states and get a grass roots movement going. I believe this was once the way things worked. Wonder what happened?
You have become my hero! I read everything you write, and I relate to it all so much. I lived in small town Rising Sun, IN for almost 40 years, and I teach in Aurora, IN, the next small town over. Everything you say is so true! If you decide to run again, I will support you financially. The Democratic Party in these rural towns are suffering because there is never a contest. Our recent primary didn’t even place many Democrats on the ballot because candidates can’t afford to invest tin a losing cause; the Democratic Party won’t invest in these races because the districts are so gerrymandered.
Good synopsis of “ruralism!” Being a country soul myself, I completely understand your words! City people assume a lot when defining how country people live and think, but they soon discover we’re up to speed on most everything! We may have a differing opinion, but we’re competent! You nailed it, Jess!
Thanks for this. I’m a transplant to Maui, Hawaii, where we’ve lived and raised a family for 45 years. During this time, we’ve learned that aloha isn’t a noun but a verb, and it means- among other things- opening your ears and heart, and giving your mouth a rest.
You gave a way of listening that is good for forming a connection in any local be it rural, urban or suburban. Visited East Texas a few times way back and learned there how to (mostly) over come the stereotypical rural Texan view of a New Yorker.
Jess, thank you so much for trying to clear up the redneck stereotype. I know we are all guilty of believing that all rednecks are ignorant and stupid. It's easy to do, because it's so much harder to try and understand them. That takes effort and so many of us are tired of the war between the red states and the blue states. However, this is exactly how the Democrats have lost the rural voter. The Republicans were very strategic. I have to give them that. You make a very profound and critical point when you say that Missouri has the same number of senators as California. Rural voters have the majority in this country, even though they are in the minority. The GOP used this fact to insinuate themselves into the rural voter's head by listening to them. They saw the fear on these people's faces as their way of life is being stripped away. They capitalized on that fear. They campaigned on that fear. They won on this fear. They tell these people they will protect them. They will succeed where the Democrats have failed. They fill their heads with lies and hatred. They have their own homegrown cult at this point.
But stereotypes are reductive. People are so much more than the labels we slap on them. The stereotypes are for us. Does it make me feel superior to say I am not a redneck? Of course it does, until I tell a stranger that I am from Alabama. Then, they slap that label on me and it doesn't feel so good anymore. Oh, the stories I could tell. I grew up in rural Alabama, but currently live outside of a somewhat blue city. We do have a Trump billboard here, but only one.
If Democrats don't start listening to the rural voters, we will lose this election. Violence will ensue. Who will bring out the guns first? Will all of us that fought against his majesty be thrown in detention camps? Will Trump have his loyal followers come to our doors with their guns to escort us? Because like you said Jess, the rural voters have the guns. I don't have a gun, and none of my liberal friends own guns. We will be outgunned from the outset.
Surprisingly, I don't think that we will see this level of violence if Biden wins. Trump is ultimately a coward and he does not have the backing of the presidency. Some of his supporters like the Proud Boys, Qanon, and such might stir up some local violence, but I don't think there will be a wide-scale civl war. Hopefully, we have learned from our mistakes, like January 6th. Although, Trump is building his army. MAGAs politicians, like Tim Scott, refuse to say whether they will accept the election result if Trump loses. We have watched as a parade of Republicans have joined Trump at his Manhattan trial: Mike Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, Alabama AG Steve Marshall, Boebert, Gaetz, etc. Will they be the generals in Trump's army?
Just like in Missouri, there are very few Democrats running for local and state offices. I am often forced to vote for the least MAGA Republican. Even if red states receive more federal funding, it will go to the GOP as Help Everybody pointed out. It will be a long, torturous, exhausting road back to democracy in states like Missouri and Alabama. It will be filled with mostly losses in the beginning, but there is hope. Alabama's Marilyn Lands, that won her new district by a landslide running on abortion rights, gives me hope.
I'm 52, grew up in a small town in il, moved to stl in my 20s because being gay in the 90s in a rural setting was just asking for trouble.
Here I am now, wanting to move back to rural America because attitudes have changed. Like, a lot.
I know this because we bought some land in ste gen county. We have a permanently parked trailer that we utilize on weekends 9 months put of the year.
I cannot talk politics on line because it's just a shit show of us and them. What I can do is hang out in vfw halls and little pubs and have a face to face conversation over a frosty mug of beer.
You know what? Nobody gets outrageous like they do on social media. It's just a conversation. food for thought, so to speak.
When I told my city friends (friends who never travel more than 5 miles from their house) that we were buying property in rural mo, they were horrified.
That was 3 years ago. Now they want to do it too. I think the more city and rural folks have a chance to interact face to face, the better the outcome will be
You engaged!!! Are there hateful folks out here? Of course, but there are awful folks everywhere. It starts with getting to know someone different that yourself and then it snowballs. I've heard someone talk negatively about immigration but then go on and on about their neighbors that run the local Mexican restaurant. It's pointing out that "those people" are the same people. They change their minds when they actually get to know someone different than themselves.
Funny story, last year when I was winterizing the trailer for the season, neighbor Bobby comes up the road to see if I need any help and to wish me well. He's wearing a let's go Brandon ball cap, I'm wearing a Hillary pants suit nation rainbow shirt. I said I'm almost finished but I appreciate the offer! We gave each other a big Ole bear hug and parted ways. So yeah. Sometimes it's just that simple to get along with one another
These days, politics seems to be about demonizing 'others' and promoting stereotypes, whether of rural or city folks. I know I get tired of hearing about how New York, where
I Iive, is a hotbed of crime and murders, when the truth is that per capita NY is safer than Mansfield, OH.
I moved to Deep South Mississippi from the greater NYC area & my experience 💯
Your point about people being prejudiced against a certain class of people but then making an exception for the “nice” ones who they know rings true for everywhere. My dear grandpa, passed on many years ago, was from Brooklyn, a borough of New York City. He was an Archie Bunker type, complaining about Hispanics and Chinese and blacks— except for the Hispanic who worked on his second job loading trucks, or the black man who worked on the assembly line machines at the card factory. Or the nice Chinese grocer where he got the best bluefish. Here’s the problem. He still wouldnt vote for any of them.
Not in our school district where people stand up at school board meetings and equate gays and trans with pedophiles and rapists.
Every accusation made by these types is usually a confession.
I was referring to the population at large and how differently i am treated today from 30+ years ago. There are definitely "those types" that I cannot engage with. Once they start on their Q conspiracy bs, I wish them a good day and move on. It's not worth it.
Unfortunately school and library boards have been infiltrated with evangelist types. It's also been happening in stl city an county.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It's just awful things for kids to hear. It's not fair to anyone and just drives those kids out of rural communities.
It's all about perception, rural, urban, or suburban. True story, 40+ years ago my "kids" & I were visiting my brother in South Dakota. He was a pastor of a church in Brookings but also pastored a small local church in a nearby community of about 400 people. He had a counseling appointment one day and we accompanied him to the small town and decided to look around while he was busy. We went into the General Store and immediately the clerk said "you're not from around here", and we said no we're visiting my brother who pastors the local church. Oh yeah she says I know him, where are you from? I responded we were from Gary, Indiana and she asked how big of a town is that? At the time Gary was about 150,000 people. To that she said "oh I don't think I'd like living in a big city like that"! Fast forward to our journey home on the Amtrak to Chicago. The three of us were sitting in the dining car and the host asked if we minded if a gentleman joined us, to which we replied not at all. An African-American man joined us for lunch and in our conversation I asked where he was from and he said he was from Chicago and he asked where we were from. I said oh we're your neighbor across the lake, we're in Gary Indiana. His response was "how big of a city is Gary" and I said oh we're about 150,000 people. He thought for a moment and then replied "I don't think I'd like living in such a small town". I've retold that story many times over the years to say it's all people's perception of big or small, rural or urban but we're all just people trying to make better lives for our families. We just need to listen to what's important to one another. Those "listening visits" are important.
Jess, thanks for this great post. Rural people are everywhere. I was born and raised in Massachusetts in a very small town where my home was surrounded by farms (dairy, turkey) and apple orchards. My mom was college educated but worked in a shoe factory for many years till my brother and I were old enough so she could take a corporate job. My dad worked on an assembly line at GM. People would often think we were uneducated "hicks" but we were not. All staunch Democrats, not even close to rich, but we were always excited when someone running for office would reflect our concerns, our daily experience and our values. It's important if we want people to vote Democrat that Democrats listen, speak "to" rural voters, and not "talk down" to them.
Sounds like we all need to be better listeners to each other, urban and rural. But we also need to pay attention to current events from more than one source to get the facts.
Bravo! Instead of obnoxious noise from both sides, you are providing clarity and understanding of the national divide.
Unfortunately, all ilk of media today do nothing but throw more fuel on fires of disenchantment.
Thank you, Jess, for running last time. Is it too late to fundraiser here on Substack to have you run again?
Been reading your posts for a while and I REALLY appreciate your insight into rural America, especially in this post. I’ve grown up and lived in an urban environment my whole life but have relatives from Iowa, maybe not strictly rural but they have friends who live in rural areas. I’ve seen Iowa transform gradually to where it is now. I lived there in early to mid 80’s. I know that transformation has happened all over the country , from traditional GOP to extremist TOP (Trump obstructionist party). When I ride across Iowa each summer during ragbrai I see many Trump signs. It gives me hope when I read what you write about what we can do to start changing this radicalization that’s been happening for years, decades really. I live in Michigan so I don’t know how much I can do for states like Missouri but with your guidance i would like to help. Keep up the good work!
Solidarity, friend!
I started reading you because Heather Richardson is on your venue. Good job explaining rural views.
I live in Kern county Calif.
A very red county in a blue state.
As a democrat, not only is there no one to vote for, I have tried to contact a representative for information for two voting cycles. Nothing on google, social media, etc. yet MAGA has offices, billboards, Facebook, etc. everywhere.
Apathy is going to lose this country for us. I am 82 and will probably not be affected, but my over fifty direct descendants will.
Solidarity, my friend!
Trying….
Deborah, I’m in Kern County too (Bakersfield). I would love to meet some other progressives , but there does not appear to be any venue or way to meet any.
Exactly my point….
Where are the Democratic leaders.??
I think if there are no Democratic leaders in your area, you need to become the Democratic leaders.
I used to live in Fresno, and there were numerous venues and events.
Thank you for thinking about the future. Your descendants are lucky to have you.
The DNC should be using their funds and influence to invest in rural states and get a grass roots movement going. I believe this was once the way things worked. Wonder what happened?
Jess,
You have become my hero! I read everything you write, and I relate to it all so much. I lived in small town Rising Sun, IN for almost 40 years, and I teach in Aurora, IN, the next small town over. Everything you say is so true! If you decide to run again, I will support you financially. The Democratic Party in these rural towns are suffering because there is never a contest. Our recent primary didn’t even place many Democrats on the ballot because candidates can’t afford to invest tin a losing cause; the Democratic Party won’t invest in these races because the districts are so gerrymandered.
Thank you for the hope you bring!
Thank you, Judy!!!
Good synopsis of “ruralism!” Being a country soul myself, I completely understand your words! City people assume a lot when defining how country people live and think, but they soon discover we’re up to speed on most everything! We may have a differing opinion, but we’re competent! You nailed it, Jess!
Thanks for this. I’m a transplant to Maui, Hawaii, where we’ve lived and raised a family for 45 years. During this time, we’ve learned that aloha isn’t a noun but a verb, and it means- among other things- opening your ears and heart, and giving your mouth a rest.
Mahalo
Keep telling them! In other words, talk to everyone as if they’re a fellow human being with real experiences and dreams and problems.
You gave a way of listening that is good for forming a connection in any local be it rural, urban or suburban. Visited East Texas a few times way back and learned there how to (mostly) over come the stereotypical rural Texan view of a New Yorker.
Jess, thank you so much for trying to clear up the redneck stereotype. I know we are all guilty of believing that all rednecks are ignorant and stupid. It's easy to do, because it's so much harder to try and understand them. That takes effort and so many of us are tired of the war between the red states and the blue states. However, this is exactly how the Democrats have lost the rural voter. The Republicans were very strategic. I have to give them that. You make a very profound and critical point when you say that Missouri has the same number of senators as California. Rural voters have the majority in this country, even though they are in the minority. The GOP used this fact to insinuate themselves into the rural voter's head by listening to them. They saw the fear on these people's faces as their way of life is being stripped away. They capitalized on that fear. They campaigned on that fear. They won on this fear. They tell these people they will protect them. They will succeed where the Democrats have failed. They fill their heads with lies and hatred. They have their own homegrown cult at this point.
But stereotypes are reductive. People are so much more than the labels we slap on them. The stereotypes are for us. Does it make me feel superior to say I am not a redneck? Of course it does, until I tell a stranger that I am from Alabama. Then, they slap that label on me and it doesn't feel so good anymore. Oh, the stories I could tell. I grew up in rural Alabama, but currently live outside of a somewhat blue city. We do have a Trump billboard here, but only one.
If Democrats don't start listening to the rural voters, we will lose this election. Violence will ensue. Who will bring out the guns first? Will all of us that fought against his majesty be thrown in detention camps? Will Trump have his loyal followers come to our doors with their guns to escort us? Because like you said Jess, the rural voters have the guns. I don't have a gun, and none of my liberal friends own guns. We will be outgunned from the outset.
Surprisingly, I don't think that we will see this level of violence if Biden wins. Trump is ultimately a coward and he does not have the backing of the presidency. Some of his supporters like the Proud Boys, Qanon, and such might stir up some local violence, but I don't think there will be a wide-scale civl war. Hopefully, we have learned from our mistakes, like January 6th. Although, Trump is building his army. MAGAs politicians, like Tim Scott, refuse to say whether they will accept the election result if Trump loses. We have watched as a parade of Republicans have joined Trump at his Manhattan trial: Mike Johnson, Tommy Tuberville, Alabama AG Steve Marshall, Boebert, Gaetz, etc. Will they be the generals in Trump's army?
Just like in Missouri, there are very few Democrats running for local and state offices. I am often forced to vote for the least MAGA Republican. Even if red states receive more federal funding, it will go to the GOP as Help Everybody pointed out. It will be a long, torturous, exhausting road back to democracy in states like Missouri and Alabama. It will be filled with mostly losses in the beginning, but there is hope. Alabama's Marilyn Lands, that won her new district by a landslide running on abortion rights, gives me hope.
It wasn't all that long ago that Arkansas with a Democrat stronghold. Politicians and Pastors have effectively exploited faith and fear.