Hattiesburg - Good place for liberal minded person? (Jackson: live, residential)

[jimdc58]

Originally Posted by Tama

I don't recognize the Mssissippi that DebFlack is describing and I have been here for 37 years or so. I am not a religious person, I am not a staunch conservative nor am I a Southerner. Since Miss Deb is challenging for the question to be answered, I will try.

I personally didn't try to answer the question because it didn't make sense to me, frankly. What does the OP expect in terms of his liberal bent from Hattiesburg? Does he want people to sit and discuss politics who will nod and agree with him? Does he not want to hear someone praise, for example, George Bush? Does he want newspaper opinion pages that reflect liberalism?

I don't know. Or is he afraid that if his "liberal"views become known--if he is outed--he will have difficulty at work or among friends? Or even worse.

I am not trying to denigrate the OP. I just didn't understand where he was coming from.

I can state generally, to try to cover most possibilities, that the general opinion pages will reflect locals' conservative views with the odd liberal holding forth on occasion. The newspaper forum has resident liberals who give all a piece of their mind. So the OP could join in there for lively discussions. The editorials will be centrist and the syndicated columns will cover all viewpoints. Radio will generally be conservative. People will generally be conservative and one may feel uncomfortable in some settings vocalizing liberal views strongly for fear of being offensive or being
looked at askance.

That being said--if one provokes thought politely and with conciliatory language--such as--Don't you think though that sometimes---rather than "I can't believe you think that!" one can manage to participate in most conversations. I have kept my own counsel on many occasions. It doesn't bother me. I really don't care if I am among people who are more conservative or more religious than I am. Other things are more important to me.

What difference, really, does it make?

And--there is no "danger" in being known as liberal.

So--if the OP wants to be among like-minded all around--no --H'burg isn't going to provide that comfort. Though there will be many--just not most. If the OP wants to know that he can be a liberal and be respected and live peacefully among folks--yes--he can--in my opinion.

Actually, I think you know EXACTLY what I meant by my original post. Just as an ultraconservative would feel out of place in an extremely liberal community, a liberal person would feel out of place somewhere that is overly religious, frowns on mixed marriages or gays, and overall has a closed mind to anything other than their way of thinking.

[jimdc58]

Originally Posted by mattpresley

Heavens no. we dont want any liberals here. try Illinois.

But, of course, you'd like me to think EVERYONE is as shallow and closed minded as you, wouldn't you?

[Tama]

jimdc58 I wasn't playing games with you.If you read my post I outlined why I found your question difficult to address. I still am not certain what you mean. Do you feel a need to announce your political and social views to the world around you and get its approval?

Of course, there are likeminded people as yourself within a conservative majority but if you feel the need to have the majority viewpoint reflect your own that won't happen. But why is that necessary is what I am asking.

If you have a golf round does it matter if the person opposes gay marriage if the subject never comes up and that person is polite, funny, and sincere? If that person respects you and doesn't expect you to wax eloquent on viewpoints that agree with him. Does it matter if the neighbor from whom you borrow tools votes Republican and likes George Bush if he is a good neighbor, a good family man, a kind soul, and likes you. Does it matter to you if the colleague in the next office has a McCain bumper sticker on his car?

It seems some people liken their political views to the white hats and the black hats. To the good and the evil. That is nuts. It is just a way of thinking about government and social mores within a common core of being Americans.
Why the sense of alientation from another who belongs to a different political spectrum?

I understand this is, unfortunately the way the partisan Congress has evolved, but I find it weird on a personal level.

[jacksonian]

Hey jimdc58! If you're looking for a larger liberal crowd, I would recommend coming to Jackson. There's a progressive movement occurring here and it's not just centered around politics. Also, the Jackson city limit signs tend to deter hardcore conservatives from entering the city very often.

[DebFlack]

Some of this stuff is revealing.

Most of Mississippi's historical 'woes' don't STEM FROM POLITICS !

Most of Mississippi's historical perception has nothing to do whether someone puts a 'conservative' spin or mantra in his/her daily interaction with others, or has a "McCain sticker" on his/her bumper or voted for and like George W. Bush (and I did which was a clear mistake of mine own making)


Many in the area have allowed politics to include mores, traditions, etc to be SHADED by visceral feelings about RACE, and HUMAN interaction.

Mistreating fellow citizens had nothing to do with whether the milieu was Republican or Democrat, or independent, it had something to do with the sanctity of HUMAN RELATIONS in a civilized society, NO MATTER THE POLITICAL BENT.

Mississippi REpublicans, and Mississippi Democrats and MIssissippi Independents did not differ on the amount of hatred, abuse, prejudice and violence that was heaped upon their fellow citizens (black), because most did not view them (blacks) as CITIZENS at all ---that's where the truth and rub is--------the issues of human relations did not have a 'conservative face' or a 'liberal face'-------

To suggest that now, these key human, cross-cultural relations can be, or is merely a function of POLITICS (conservative or liberal), seems to fly in the face of RATIONALITY

Mistreating people, and fellow human beings from an institutional level and a societal level is NOT politically-based, or concocted------------the mistreatment stemmed from personal HATRED of those individuals and the political apparatus was simply a 'tool' for enforcement for personal and/or 'group think' for the vast majority or already racist and prejudiced WHITES-------they, (the whites) could care LESS about the 'politics' or 'political bent' of BLACKS--------that's the salient point.........so, again, the true underlying, and foundational basis for thought has/had NOTHING to do with so-called 'politics' or political tolerance-----------it has/had something to do with cultural and societal warped vision, and enforced social order--------


SOCIAL ORDER was/is the driving force in the area-------NOT whether there exists a black law enforcement member now employed by the political apparatus-------

Voting rights weren't denied to blacks because they might vote Republican or Democrat-------

The seeds of prejudice and hatred were absolutely 'germinated' first in the hearts and minds of warped whites, then successfully tranplanted in the 'machine' of local, state, and national politics....


Hatred is not a component of true 'conservatism''-------but to some in that area, 'conservatism' gives 'cover' to the same historically warped minds-----

In that area still, haters hide behind the 'conservative' label and mantra much to the detriment of the Republican Party----

My experience is that when I hear my friends in the area proclaim that they are 'social conservatives', that seems to be clear 'code language' that they really are for segregation 'as much as possible' within the community -------and I've even been told things like " Oh, I have no problem working with them [blacks], but we don't socialize"-----------yep, I have heard this trash for years in the region--------

It seems wrong-headed to muddle POLITICS with an issue steeped in 'social order' and visceral group hatred---

While political 'participation' has evolved, no such 'evolution' of social thought has kept pace, from what I see,and hear.


We're not talking about 'political spectrums here-------that seems quite 'revisionist'

[Phil75230]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Hey jimdc58! If you're looking for a larger liberal crowd, I would recommend coming to Jackson. There's a progressive movement occurring here and it's not just centered around politics. Also, the Jackson city limit signs tend to deter hardcore conservatives from entering the city very often.

Definitely agreed,Jacksonian. Jackson Free Press | News, Opinions, Music, Events and Dining | Jackson, Mississippi .That's the "liberal haven" for Jackson area people. They also have a "lounge list" of social events.

Hint: if you're interested in the politics, here's a sure-fire way to find out where the progressive neighborhoods are: Find out which precincts voted most heavily for Ralph Nader in the Nov 2000 Presidential Election (it's old, I know, but cultural traits have a strange way of persisting). Anyway, I'll save you the trouble and say the area along State Street from Northside Drive south to about High Street is what you're looking for.

[Tama]

DebFlack
You bring up history as though nothing has changed, you dismiss signs of progress in the public domain by insisting all hearts are impure and that is what counts, you toss out generalizations based on personal anecdotes and refuse to acknowledge anyone else's experience is valid. And may I say for the record I am not a Mississippian born and bred, I am not religious, and I follow Martin Luthern King's admonition to judge people by the content of their character and I can live in Mississippi without a burning rage.

Minorities have been empowered and that you can't deny. Educated people do well in all areas whether they are white or black. Ill-educated dropouts do not fare well--whether black or white. Your generalizations about poverty, bias, or lack of opportunity flies in the face of reality. MIddle-class blacks are well-integrated and successful. It is pure economics and not race that dictates success today.

Cultural avoidance of education must be addressed. But that is not what you are addressing. You are out of sync with reality. If you want to help, speak to single parenting, unwed teen mothers, school leavers and dysfunctional parents. That is where the problem lies today.

The Mississippi you reveal with such authority and certitude lies beneath a mountain of change, within communities of diversity be it campuses, recreation, neighborhoods, or the work place. I suggest those seeking real info about Mississippi read further or come and see for yourself and don't delay too long at the posts of DebFlack.

[Ira500]

It doesn't seem to me that Deb Flack has actually spent much time in Mississippi lately.
As far as liberalism and Hatiiesburg, I'm thinking the OP was looking for lifestyle as opposed to strictly politics. Liberals exist in Hattiesburg, and one could hang out in bookstores, and drink espresso and go to art galleries and poetry readings there, but it's not the predominant culture. Historic downtown Hattiesburg is a hip, pretty, liberal area, but there are also plenty of Republicans and Baptist churches, etc. There are really are very few places in the US that scream "liberal!". Most of Seattle, most of San Francisco, Berkeley, CA, Greenwich Village in New York, but most places, Hattiesburg included, are a mix. Yes, there are also very conservative towns where liberals might not be welcomed, but Hattiesburg is not one of those places. In fact, the national organization "Drinking Liberally" has a Hattiesburg chapter.

[Tama]

IRA500 That is an eyeopener for me! I had no idea conservatives didn't mesh with lattes. Well-if it is lifestyle--H'burg has wine bars, martini bars, coffee cafes, Japanese restaurants, and plenty of liberals on campus.

[Ira500]

IRA500 That is an eyeopener for me! I had no idea conservatives didn't mesh with lattes.

I'm shooting without facts here ( as usual) but I'd say a solid majority of latte drinkers voted for Obama.
Conservatives may also be conservative about throwing four dollars away on a cup of coffee.