Longview, Texas and rednecks. (live in, restaurants, deal)
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First, I would like to clarify that I have had friends in the upper, middle and lower classes in Longview. I do not have animosity towards any of them. I am merely stating my perspective of the dynamics within the Longview community.
Having been born and raised in Longview, there are MANY things I could comment on. I love the trees. I love the trees. Did I mention, I love the trees. That is where it ends. If one is looking to enlighten themselves on a different way of life, Longview is an excellent study. Although there is some growth in businesses, the people seem stagnant. This is a town/city filled with old family names that remain. They have their way of life, and yes, their cliques. These cliques reach far into Longview's history. There is a distinct upper class, middle class, lower class, and yes, even lower than lower class. There seems to be an acceptable way of life for each class. There is a level of conformity expected within each class. Sure, we could say that of many places in the US, but to the degree I witnessed in Longview is what defines this town.
The problems associated with gaining acceptance from other women is an old one found in many small towns. There is something to be understood about a large population of the women in Longview. Trying to fit in is like engaging in an arena of competition. You are segregated by your household income, where you live, your family name, the church you attend, who you know, the handbag you carry and the clothes you wear. Sporting an "I'm better than you" attitude gives many a sense of moving up in the ranks at the expense of others. The hardest areas to penetrate are the women that come from generations of living in the Longview area.
As with anything, there are exceptions to the rule, and some very nice people can be met, with a willingness to befriend you, seemingly blind to the social barriers.
I cringe at the thought of what I would have become, or would not have become if I had remained there. A vast number seem to be oblivious to a life outside the Longview world. This statement is true of all the classes. It's very interesting.
I realize some of my comments are vague. It's is difficult to place few words to 20 years of experience. I have now had another 20 years outside of Longview, with visits to family and friends that remain there. They are still the same.
I have a sibling that has moved away, as I did. This sibling and I equally shake our heads at the bullet we dodged.
What an eloquent post. I completely agree with you. My husband and I have entertained the idea of moving back to Longview on occasion, but the thing that keeps us from acting on it is exactly what you discussed. I love many of the neighborhoods because of the trees, and the size of the town is great---not too big, not too small. But every time we return from a visit to see our families, it is glaringly obvious that we have outgrown some of the mindsets that still prevail. Too bad, because it is a pretty town with so much potential.
I'm from Longview, Tx and yes there are alot of rednecks here in this city, and I personally have experienced racism. Not just do we have a redneck problem, but our so-called laws of the protect and serve can be labeled as the GOOD OLE BOYS cause they are crooked and rednecks also. If you go to Gregg County jail we have had some of our residents wrongfully mistreated and have died within our judicial system. I am not the least bit proud of my town, cause of all the negativety this city has exposed of itself. I don't recommened anyone to move to the city of Longview cause I'm not going to sit here and lie and say this is a great city to live in, cause it is not. Read the articles in the LongviewNewsJournal.Com and you will see for yourself the problems within the community.
your husband sounds like he has his head in the clouds!
perhaps he should visit!
whats wrong with rednecks anyhow??
and NO Texas is not filled with rednecks. by rednecks i assume he means middle to lower class whites who are racist towards all others!
well first of all like 50% of Texas is filled with mexicans and other latinos!
2nd of all Texas is mainly republican state. and yes a lot of latinos down in Texas vote republican compared to the voting trend in California for latinos might be!
3rd of all Lots of Parts of Texas are different!
By the Way LongView is not a very big attraction, and its rather on its own id say. i have never been to longview so i cannot comment on that city!
anyhow- if you do happen to come to Texas, WELCOME TO TEXAS! all in all its a great states, sure the education sucks, and sure its to hot in the summers, but hell! there are other reasons why i like this state. it may have to do with me living in the hill country!
I'm from Longview, Tx and yes there are alot of rednecks here in this city, and I personally have experienced racism. Not just do we have a redneck problem, but our so-called laws of the protect and serve can be labeled as the GOOD OLE BOYS cause they are crooked and rednecks also. If you go to Gregg County jail we have had some of our residents wrongfully mistreated and have died within our judicial system. I am not the least bit proud of my town, cause of all the negativety this city has exposed of itself. I don't recommened anyone to move to the city of Longview cause I'm not going to sit here and lie and say this is a great city to live in, cause it is not. Read the articles in the LongviewNewsJournal.Com and you will see for yourself the problems within the community.
So Longview is racist because people get shanked in prison?
About article from Bob and Texas rednecks: I respect your view about Longview ,Texas, but want to comment about what I see as an incomplete analysis in your comparison about California and Longview..
I have lived all over,traveled all over, spoken with people all over the world and I now find it easy to see big differences in the culture and attitudes as well as the natural beauty from each area.
In describing and comparing different places and specifically Longview, Texas and California, I see many more differences than you have described in your article. To start with,maybe Longview has some physical beauty to it, I'm sure it does, but I don't think it is fair to say it compares to Northern California. Northern California has some of the most recognized natural mesmerizing scenic landscapes in the world. It has a coastline that rates with the best in the world. The redwood trees and redwood forest, Yosemite State Park, Napa Valley, too many other sites to list are of such beauty, Longview could never match. The weather in parts of Northern California is considered to be the best in the world according to many meteorologists. In no way am I putting down Longview and its beauty, but it is in a different class. Put the photos of each area and let anyone compare...
As far as the culture differences between the two areas; California and Texas, there are some major differences.. What I'm about to write, the same views are shared by multiple others around the world, who are knowledgable about both. For the most part, the California culture is very open, non judgemental and welcomes new ideas, people and culture. For the most part, the culture there supports variety,respect others space and try to understand others views about anything. Yes, there is specific areas that have had problems with racism, but not really something shared in the culture. California also has its share of good Christian churches, some of the best, maybe there is an openess to the liberal movement, but there is also acceptance of the churches there also. Of course, there are the some extremist, which exist in any culture.
With Texas, the culture there is still very unchanged, very conservative, closed minded and stiff when it comes to allowing new ideas, people culture and other things blend in with the already established mind sets. The redneck, hillbilly, hick nickname that Texas carries in reality does exist as part of the backbone of the culture. Anyone can go there and experience this for theirself. I would say there are more pickups than cars there, not for sure but close. The racism can still be seen everywhere. Rude manners, loud trucks, overly confident attitudes about Texas and the inability to recognize all the great things from other cultures seem to be invisible in that culture. The mainstream culture seems to be one of being tough as in "don't mess with Texas" is really the mind set there. This not only is talking to outsiders but also between Texans. It seems they are like this to each other. It seems in an atmosphere as this, people are not allowed to grow properly and truly be who God made them to be, but because of the beliefs and pressures of one way mindset, people grow up there only knowing this way, therefore, seeing new ideas and adopting better ways is not welcomed openly there. There are those of course, who do not think like that, so end up relocating to a more free place or else become part of a click or group who is considered something not like "us" or foreign to the Texas mindset...
I know a lot of this is just another opinion to many, but many things shared here, have been read and approved by sociologist, that have studied these topics. They are also non-biased...It would be nice if all places could just drop all the cultural habits, practices and beliefs that waste time money and have no purpose. Driving a big loud truck, not only disrespects others with the overbearing noise, but also wastes natural resources of oil, just to keep some idioctic image. Yes, lack of education is a cause of most of this, but maybe with prayer, eyes will be opened to stop the bad practices and adopt the realistic ones that have already proven themselves to bring more peace, prosperity and personal growth. Pray for acceptance, love, no more anger, forgiveness and humility, then God will move on us all...
Having lived in Longview and having been a guest and not one born in Texas one thing has really struck me as for the natives of the area. They seem polite and will take it upon themselves to do something when it needs to be done, but they also don't seem to really respect personal space and property. I have neighbors that have crossed our lawn and placed cat food on our carport to feed a cat, I have also had another neighbor allow their dog to run in our yard, urinate and play around with our dog (which is on a long cord leash). They also allow their children to run through our yard which scares me when I see heads flying by when I look out the window.
Back up north you must respect peoples property and personal space in order to get along, you don't have as much space up there, after all.
I am totally not used to this and do not understand if this is just our neighborhood or if it's a southern/Longview/Texas thing.
As for the supposed "rednecks" I do see those that could fit into that category. You see many with cowboy hat and boots, those who stand outside and drink beer and loudly clear their throat of the tobacco juice from their chew, those who wear the blue farmer overalls. I suppose it goes with the territory. Every state has their "Special Selection".
Last edited by Alyx_Vance; 09-16-2011 at 03:53 PM..
Having lived in Longview and having been a guest and not one born in Texas one thing has really struck me as for the natives of the area. They seem polite and will take it upon themselves to do something when it needs to be done, but they also don't seem to really respect personal space and property. I have neighbors that have crossed our lawn and placed cat food on our carport to feed a cat, I have also had another neighbor allow their dog to run in our yard, urinate and play around with our dog (which is on a long cord leash). They also allow their children to run through our yard which scares me when I see heads flying by when I look out the window.
Back up north you must respect peoples property and personal space in order to get along, you don't have as much space up there, after all.
I am totally not used to this and do not understand if this is just our neighborhood or if it's a southern/Longview/Texas thing.
I'd say the kids running through the yard is pretty normal. The rest of it is assholish behavior by Longview standards. When I lived there, there was some guy who would let his dog crap in everyone's yards. He even dumped food in my yard for my dogs while I was at work. Yeah, the Purina Pro Plan I was buying for them wasn't enough; they need some corn and Doritos... The ladies down the street eventually set him straight and I didn't have to worry about him anymore.
Bascailly redneck is country.All you have to do is watch country music to see them. Its actaully stereotype has much as city thugs;speaced out dudes;california valley girls or dumb blonds. I suggest you actaully visit and decide for yourself.You might decide that country is not for you but most areas have a variety of types any way depending o area you live in.Noone would certainly judge california by ltraveling into Compton.
Having lived in Longview and having been a guest and not one born in Texas one thing has really struck me as for the natives of the area. They seem polite and will take it upon themselves to do something when it needs to be done, but they also don't seem to really respect personal space and property. I have neighbors that have crossed our lawn and placed cat food on our carport to feed a cat, I have also had another neighbor allow their dog to run in our yard, urinate and play around with our dog (which is on a long cord leash). They also allow their children to run through our yard which scares me when I see heads flying by when I look out the window.
Back up north you must respect peoples property and personal space in order to get along, you don't have as much space up there, after all.
I am totally not used to this and do not understand if this is just our neighborhood or if it's a southern/Longview/Texas thing.
As for the supposed "rednecks" I do see those that could fit into that category. You see many with cowboy hat and boots, those who stand outside and drink beer and loudly clear their throat of the tobacco juice from their chew, those who wear the blue farmer overalls. I suppose it goes with the territory. Every state has their "Special Selection".
It's either the neighborhood you lived in or it's a Longview thing. I've lived in several places in Texas and I've never experienced what you were talking about. I've never had kids running through my yard, neighbors messing around in my yard, etc. Right now I live in Houston and it's pretty much the big city attitude here. I don't care about my neighbors and they don't care about me. I stay off their property and they stay off mine. When I get home from work I always hate it when my neighbors are in the yard because I feel obligated to wave at them. I don't want to wave at them, talk to them or be bothered with them. I just want to do my own thing.
The silliest thing I've been called since living in Texas is a Yankee (Duh! I don't think a Californian is a Yankee),
Yeah, I dont either.
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Too bad, because it is a pretty town with so much potential.
