Please stop the trashing of the people of Appalachia!

[theHandpuppet]

Okay, I've really had it with the trashing of Appalachian people here on this forum. Apparently this kind of class snobbery is still acceptable in some circles but IT'S NOT OKAY WITH ME. Even if you aren't participating in this kind of class warfare, at least speak up when you see it.

I've written about this sorry display many times in the past (see my journal) but I was truly hoping we had moved beyond the point of ridiculing people because they are poor, or uneducated, or simply live in Appalachia. STOP IT. It's not right, it's not just. Don't talk to me about hope and unity and then trash the Appalachian poor because it just makes those of you who do this look like hypocrites.

I'm reposting something from my journal here because if I were to say what I'm truly feeling right now I'd probably get myself banned.

Class Warfare Here On DU -- STOP IT!
Posted by theHandpuppet in General Discussion (Through 2005)
Fri Aug 19th 2005, 05:30 PM
Y'know, I'm really getting very discouraged by what I view as the class warfare too often being waged within many threads here on DU. I can't tell you just how many times within the course of a single day I read disparaging remarks here about people in poor and/or rural areas. Vicious stereotyping of the poor is not something I expect here on DU.

Some of the comments I've read just today are worthy of the worst Freeper posts, ridiculing what poor folk eat, drive, where they live, go to the bathroom, et al ad infinitum.

Let me give you a clue, folks: it's not the poor in this country who sent us to Iraq, who are raking in billions via corruption and illegal wars, who are profiting from fixed elections, sucking up to lobbyists, driving Hummers, living in mini-mansions and gated communities, stealing from state pension funds, ripping off the American people via corporate robbers like Enron, who are donating millions upon millions into Republican coffers, who own the RW hate radio stations and mediawhore outlets, who spew their twisted visions of our future from their RW think-tanks, or whose policies are being rebelled against in vigils all across this land.

Are there, among poor folk, those whose actions and deeds are revolting, lacking in compassion or downright greedy? You bet. Yet for every small town preacher taking advantage of a poor widow on Social Security there are a few score and more of millionaires right in DC who are cannibalizing millions upon millions of their own citizens. Too bad their vile isn't so eagerly exploited by the media -- but then they own the media, don't they.

The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party which represents, among its number, the disenfranchised of this nation -- and that includes the poor and working class folks in this country of ours. Sometimes you'd never know it by some of the posts I read here on DU.

I've had my say. Flame away. I really don't give a damn. I've read enough poor-bashing posts here today to last me for quite a spell.

[melody]

1. I can't even get people to pronounce "Appalachia" correctly

I've tried to point out that "redneck" and "hillbilly" are racial slurs for ages.

Some people are just locked into ignorance. I haven't seen that attitude lately on DU, but it's everywhere.

I should add -- because I've had someone PM me twice to ask -- "it's APPA-LATCH-AH" not "APPA-LAY-SHA".

[theHandpuppet]

2. I've confronted such slurs here within the last hour.

You might want to scan what's being said at this very moment, because believe me it's out there. I've had it, Melody, I really have.

[melody]

7. If you will, PM me some URLs. Where there is that nonsense, I correct it if I can n/t

[CaliforniaDemocrat]

3. Note that it's mostly Obama people doing that. His "new voters" tend to be billionaires

[melody]

6. I'm sorry, I don't see that at all -- I'm active in the campaign in the LA area, too n/t

[anigbrowl]

9. Yeah, millions of them

Because the country is full of billionaires, don't ya know.

[theHandpuppet]

10. This is a serious topic

I would appreciate it if you would keep it that way.

[OnionPatch]

20. I'm sure that accounts for the huge turnout!

In fact, I saw a parking lot full of limos and helicopters at the polls the last time I was there.

:sarcasm:

[burythehatchet]

31. you can't be a hall monitor on THE FIRST DAY YOU JOINED THE BOARD!!!

fukoff

[L0oniX]

4. So are you saying that you are a hillbilly?

:sarcasm: :evilgrin:

[melody]

5. Yup. Born in Southern California, but hillbilly to the bone

Thanks for your participation

[Xithras]

13. Pronunciation varies.

My wifes aunt (her moms step-sister) grew up in the boonies of W. Va (near the curiously named village of Hemp Hill) and jumps on me every time I say Appa-Lay-Sha. She insists it's APPA-LACH-E-YUH. I suspect that it's pronounced similar to the way you posted it, but her E is very pronounced between the LACH and the AH.

[melody]

16. I've made a generalization, but the important part is the "LACH" or "LATCH" part

The insertion of the "E" depends upon where the person is from.

[JVS]

8. here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVENWl8uBeg

[Tanuki]

11. Did you see this one, Handpuppet?

It's worse than usual, and I'm glad someone got fired over it:
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/homepage/x1843075180

[theHandpuppet]

12. Wow. Unbelievable and disgusting.

But somehow not surprising, either.

[depakid]

14. You might enjoy Joe Bagent

He's got some pretty interesting takes on the region....

Not entirely flattering, but honest and perceptive.

http://www.joebageant.com/

[woolldog]

15. Did appalachia put "W" over the top in 2004?

I don't know but maybe that's why there would be some resentment about that area on here.

[DemVet]

17. Uh...

...what about the Plains States, the Midwest (mostly), or the South? Do we trash them for the same reason?

[woolldog]

19. Yeah, but Ohio was close.

and you would think the people of that area would vote democratic, given it's probably more in their interest. Did they?

For the record, I don't trash anyone.

[theHandpuppet]

22. It's obvious you DON'T know

Maybe instead of making assumptions you could do a little research, like so:

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/

You see where those areas of deep red are? That's not Appalachia, wolldog. That's WESTERN OHIO, ie, west of the Appalachians. And the farther away you get from Appalachia, the redder the map becomes.

Next time don't just pull assumptions and easy stereotypes out of a bag.

[woolldog]

26. I SAID I DIDNT KNOW

That's why I asked the damn question. God, this place sucks, you can't even ask a question without getting attacked.

[theHandpuppet]

27. You'll have to forgive my short fuse today

My anger over this issue has been building for some time now. My apologies for being so short.

[melody]

23. W stole 2004

It's evident to anyone who looks at the actual election data.

Right now, the Appalachians are dying -- the mountains are being eroded from strip-mining -- rivers are being
poisoned -- the people are suffering more than ever. These people are NOT the problem ... they are the victims.

[nonconformist]

18. Here's a K & R from someone who currently lives in Appalachia. nt

[theHandpuppet]

Howdy

Born and bred in Scioto County, Ohio and my father's family is from Pike County, KY.

:hi:

[rodeodance]

33. BEST to you

[OnionPatch]

21. Another Appalachia girl, here!

I live in southern California now, but was born and raised in Appalachia and am proud of it. It's one of the most beautiful areas of the country with some of the nicest people in the world. If I could make a good living there, I'd leave this polluted, crowded place and move back home in a heartbeat!

Does anyone ever give any thought to the idea that a lot of poor people in Appalachia are without internet connections and cable television? If Appalachia is red, it's because the only accessible news outlets have been taken over by propagandists.

[melody]

24. I love California more than anywhere, but I have a great deal of respect for my grandparents' people

And their home country.

[OnionPatch]

37. California is nice

but I bet you live in a much nicer area of California than I do, so forgive me if I complain. I don't mean to diss California. It's a great state. There are lots of great places in California I would be very happy to live, but just not right here. I'm totally in love with northern California. I think it might be because it reminds me of those hills back home, though ! :)

[melody]

39. I'm from LA

I thank god for all of California. Had it not been for California, much of what we call the modern progressive movement wouldn't be here at all.

[OnionPatch]

42. Well, don't thank my part of it.

We're very red out here in rural Riverside County. But we're working on that.....:)

[JimGinPA]

25. Just Curious, What Brought This On?

[theHandpuppet]

28. It's been coming on for some time

After reading too many posts here degrading Appalachians as hillbillies, ignorant, rednecks, the "trailer trash vote", etc.

The last two such posts I read here this afternoon just tore it for me. I'm sick of it.

[JimGinPA]

29. I Haven't Seen Them I Guess

Not that I want to...

[theHandpuppet]

30. I think it's too easy for such comments to slip beneath the radar

Which is why I would like folks to really start paying attention to what they say and read. It's much too easy to perpetuate stereotypes, even in a subliminal way.

[WTyler]

36. Right on

Elitist pieces of shit. The #1 reason that Southern Appalachia isn't a solid lock for dems are idiots like the ones you are talking about. Here's a guide for outsiders...

1. Appalachia was ground zero in the "Labor Wars" in the late 19th/early 20th century. You know all those early labor people who literally bled to make this country a better place? Yeah, that was us, assholes. Think about that the next time you praise labor but mock Appalachia.

2. Appalachian people aren't "Southerners". Different mindset. Different accent. It's a totally different culture.

3. We have cities! And not only are they fairly large, but they aren't all that different from any other city. You know what else? Even the people who live in the rural areas have plumbing and roads. Sometimes they even wear shoes! Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with you people? Actually, I know the answer. It's become crass to insult the darkies living in the city so you channel your bigoted rotten bile onto some far off "other".

You know why the place has become a Republican stronghold? People like you who can't think before opening your Goddamn mouths.

Sorry to be so vile, but some people deserve it.

[theHandpuppet]

38. Another thread from my journal

Maybe it's time to reclaim the word "redneck"
Posted by theHandpuppet in Poverty
Wed Aug 09th 2006, 11:42 PM

Once upon a time the word "redneck" had totally different connotations. It was a source of pride among union miners, including miners of color, who fought for justice against mine owners and government troops during what is known as "The Redneck War of 1921". Just do a Google search for the West Virginia miner's strike of 1921 or "The Redneck War of 1921" and you will find many links of historical interest. Miners who chose to take up arms in the struggle identified one another by the wearing of red bandanas around their necks; hence the term "rednecks". Of course, those who looked down upon the miners used this term in a derogatory fashion to describe anyone who was poor, perhaps lacked education or polish. Ironically, too many today who supposedly take pride in being called rednecks play right into the hands of those who used that term as a slur rather than as a source of pride, for the history of the "Redneck Miners" is one that has been lost to American History books. You have to look to the history of labor battles in this country to realize just what the redneck miners contributed to the labor movement and to justice in this country.

[WTyler]

40. Reading Rec

If you haven't read it already try to find "The Redneck Manifesto" by Jim Goad(sp?). He makes a lot of similar points.

[tammywammy]

32. You have my sympathy

:hug:

Try being from Texas. :P

[PetraPooh]

34. Oops, I'm guilty of that one, but I'm from TX so I feel righteous about it.

[theHandpuppet]

35. Yeah, I can imagine it's pretty rough right now

And to think he's moving back there must be a pretty depressing thought. I wonder if he'll try to start pulling strings on your state govt. :scared:

[Bongo Prophet]

41. I am 100% with you on this, Handpuppet.

I have to get ready for a precinct convention prep meeting (Tx), or I would expand on that, but keep standing for what's right. :thumbsup:
Obama supporter, but one of the good ones - at the last rally, it was mostly working class, and divers as can be - the stereotypes here are pretty off base...;)

[rox63]

43. One of my best friends is from Appalachia

And she is just a thesis away from getting her PhD. Her family comes from rural PA, the part (south-central PA) that some folks say is the "Alabama of the North". Several of her family members have been coal-miners. She says they are specific type of Appalachians known as "Ridge-Runners". I'd never thought of that part of the country as being part of Appalachia, but I guess I was wrong.