I'm beginning to think the default emotional setting for many, white, rural Americans is rage against the system, aka, the government and hate for brown or black skinned people who they perceive as inferior. This hatred comes in more and less virulent strains. I live in a semi rural area which overwhelmingly supports Cheeto Jesus and his anti immigrant policies. Many realize tRump has no policy which will alleviate the economic distress they feel, but his rhetoric gives them the permission to substitute hate for any perceived grievance, so here we are.
In his column in today's NYT, Paul Krugman tries to diagnose the problem, but comes up with no solutions. For many rural whites, the solution is a strong, white Daddy who will deport millions of immigrants and make sure blacks know their place in society. To them, as with millions of whites in the south during the Jim Crow era, poverty is bearable as long as someone is beneath you. There is no way to reason with theses people. Only by beating them repeatedly at the ballot box and rebuilding the rural American economy in a more inclusive way will we overcome the rage and hate.
No comments:
Post a Comment