The Ultimate Culture Clash at the Root of Rural Rage
Meanwhile, over the years, the GOP has been busy learning rural American culture, at its root, a fierce desire for freedom from manipulation at the hands of Congress and educators and Hollywood. Like anyone else, rural Americans believe in their choices, and they resent being told that the only reason they don't vote Democratic is that they're too stupid to do so. There's outrage, yes, but it's at the continued insistence from liberals that rural people are ignoramuses who don't understand the value of Democratic policies and who are too stupid to even realize how bigoted they are.
As it turns out, "Let politicians make all the decisions, you racist jerks," is a message doomed to fail.
To succeed, liberals must come to terms with the fact that rural culture cannot be changed by pressure from outside forces. They must see that prejudice co-exists with rural (and small-town and religious) culture but does not define it.
Most importantly, Democrats must display an honest respect for rural Americans' desire for independence.
We, as liberals, can get there. We can arrive at that respect, if we travel the road we've made for ourselves. We are liberals because of our respect for diversity -- of beliefs, lifestyles, experiences.
Awaiting us now is only our desire to travel that road to reach our enemies.
When we respect their differences, then they become our compatriots. And then we may find that they were never enemies at all, merely friends who spoke a different language.
To learn more about Georgia Garvey, visit GeorgiaGarvey.com.
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