The most backward areas of the country? (cost, compared, cons)
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Montgomery County, Maryland and Berkeley, California. Now let me explain simply, liberals are always "liberal" in the technical sense of the word. In many places unless you are a radical left-wing anti-war, pro-gay, pro-abortion left, you are either "ignorant" or you are a "hick" or a "redneck" or just an "idiot".
Narrowminded can come from teh left as well as the right.
Even though the places you mentioned can't be called "backward" in terms of being connected to the outside world, being up-to-date culturally and technologically and economically, I really like your way of thinking outside the box in your response. It's true, what you say about feeling unwelcome in certain uber-liberal places. The Bay Area in general is like that, especially Berkeley and parts of SF, Marin, and western Sonoma County. I happen to be "one of them" so I can get along with "them" just fine, but the prevalent attitude of absolute intolerance of alternative points of view is really scary to me. This is why I prefer the liberalism of Austin, it's much less in-your-face (except at city council meetings, where a small band of leftists can turn the room into a war zone.) Generally the liberalism here is very open-minded and not at all like the West Coast's political correctness.
Even my own friends and family on the west coast can be absolutely vicious in their hatred of Republicans and any idea that clashes with their belief system. It's pure dogmatism and it's contrary to everything that Berkeley fought for during the Free Speech Movement. It's ironic that the home of that movement is now one of the most suppressed places in the nation when it comes to speaking one's mind freely. Sure, you can advocate anything leftist and PC there, but they'll run you out of town if you're even a moderate who speaks openly about the possibility that there MIGHT be other ways to see things...
I happen to be "one of them" so I can get along with "them" just fine, but the prevalent attitude of absolute intolerance of alternative points of view is really scary to me.
I feel the same way, just on the convervative/crazy redneck side. I'm from the deep south, and grew up in a poverty-stricken area of SC. I can appreciate what you're saying about intolerance, and how some folks are too busy pointing a finger to see their own intolerance. Your earlier post struck me funny:
Quote:
I remember a group of young redneck guys staring a hole right through me when I stopped in a tiny one-store town to get gas and a snack. The way they stared and didn't respond to my attempt at being friendly made me afraid for my life. It was like "Who you think you are, you don't belong here Boy!" I can't imagine what it would feel like to be at that same store if I were black or had a strong northern accent. Worst thing for me is simply that I drive a foreign car and don't have a hick accent.
My first thought was.. they didn't do anything. They didn't say anything. Nothing at all happened to you, and yet you see these people as backwards. Why?
To me, it's backwards to assume that those guys were racist (i.e. what if I were black?) or that you needed to fear for your life. To me, that is just a overreaction you had to a totally harmless situation. That's like me fearing for my life in San Francisco, because I talk like a southerner.
And I don't mean to pick on you, I've just seen this type of thing before. A story about how isolated and scary the "backwards southerners" are. Is it because of the movie Deliverance?
[quote=miamiman;800393]The Appalachians. Many areas from northern Alabama and Georgia, northward through Pennsylvania has to be the most backwards part of the country. You can read some of the local subforums on this site and witness the provinical and unwelcoming attitudes of many existing residents. They somehow believe that they "own" the areas in which they live, and get mad when people from more sophisticated areas try to change their region for the better.
This sounds pretty arrogant why should people try to change the place they got o the people that live there obviously like it just fine. When you say better, that is your opinion.
Out of all of the places you've been, from a small farm to a great urban metropolis, which areas of our great country seem to be backwards, socially? Meaning, where do people show hostility to newcomers, unfair work practice, prejudice, segregation, etc.
I would say it is probably because most educated people ( intellectually and socially) have good manners and dont stare........hence thinking they are backwards
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymous
I feel the same way, just on the convervative/crazy redneck side. I'm from the deep south, and grew up in a poverty-stricken area of SC. I can appreciate what you're saying about intolerance, and how some folks are too busy pointing a finger to see their own intolerance. Your earlier post struck me funny:
My first thought was.. they didn't do anything. They didn't say anything. Nothing at all happened to you, and yet you see these people as backwards. Why?
To me, it's backwards to assume that those guys were racist (i.e. what if I were black?) or that you needed to fear for your life. To me, that is just a overreaction you had to a totally harmless situation. That's like me fearing for my life in San Francisco, because I talk like a southerner.
And I don't mean to pick on you, I've just seen this type of thing before. A story about how isolated and scary the "backwards southerners" are. Is it because of the movie Deliverance?
I can pick out any number of towns/regions in every single state. For urban areas, I'd have to make a case for Richmond, VA, most central and western upstate New York cities, and any city not named "Boise" in the state of Idaho.
I can pick out any number of towns/regions in every single state. For urban areas, I'd have to make a case for Richmond, VA, most central and western upstate New York cities, and any city not named "Boise" in the state of Idaho.
Upstate New York cities, particularly Rochester are hotbeds for higher education and culture. I can't see how this would equate to "backwardness".
It could be just about any small town that is isolated. It could be in any state. Mixing in new people and ideas keeps a place from being backwoods.
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