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I live rurally, 25+ years, liberal but not left........but thankfully, I don't have neighbors who talk to people like you just did. Deep South here.
Are you saying you represent "country people"? because you really don't and therefore should not be so egotistical as to pretend to speak for them.
To the OP: as many have already pointed out, people get along just fine when they don't beat each other over the head with generalizations based on political opinions or affliliations. Most people are *more than just that* and therefore, have more than enough in common to be great neighbors and help each other. I've never had any problems and I live in one of the most conservative counties in my entire already "red state". None of us say or do rude stuff to each other.
However, most of them also aren't trying to "announce" their identity with flags in their yard. There are a few like that but they do tend to be big mouths who are somewhat insecure about their place in the world. The rest of us are busy just being nice human beings to each other and have tons of stuff in common. Maybe because we LOOK for what we have in common instead of looking for what divides us?
Bingo.
Every place I've lived, rural or urban, has had people who were rude, and obnoxious.
However, lately it seems that one side has been cornering the market here. Certainly on social media such as this forum, but overall in general.
In driving through rural Illinois and rural North Carolina, there are the occasional signs that makes the political perspective of the owners quite clear.
The nice thing about living in a rural area, is that it is easier to steer clear of these folks.
My friend's politics don't stop me from loving her as a close friend. We have other more important things in common (like our faith).
Tennessee and Kentucky which I believe the OP mentioned are beautiful places. I would live in Knoxville. Who cares if it's mostly conservative? Who says you can't form fantastic relationships with someone who disagrees with you politically? Life is short.
Since this is the internet, let's add some nuance to this. What if the person considering moving was Black, gay, or Latino (who speaks Spanish)? How welcoming is rural Tennessee and Kentucky?
Since this is the internet, let's add some nuance to this. What if the person considering moving was Black, gay, or Latino (who speaks Spanish)? How welcoming is rural Tennessee and Kentucky?
There are a lot of black people in the rural South. Latinos are all over the South in recent decades, mainly coming up from Mexico as migrant/seasonal workers.
Gays maybe a different story; there was a lot of intolerance 30 or more years ago. But society, including rural areas, has changed a lot.
You're always going to get some intolerance and small mindedness. You could argue that Jews might not be so welcome in a predominantly Christian church-going area. But there's been a change in attitudes toward Jews in recent decades, partly related to evangelical Christian theology regarding Israel. In fact some of the most fervent Zionists and Israel supporters in the U.S. now are Christians. There is still anti-Semitism, but it's not like 50 years ago.
As regards Confederate flags, since approximately the late 1960s, it's been a sign of defiance against what people regard as an increasingly powerful and overbearing central government. I doubt a single person with such a flag on their lawn actually wants to bring back slavery. Nor do they want to randomly shoot you and dump you in the swamp, Deliverance-style. They just want to be left alone.
There are all sorts out there in rural land, ranging from very conservative, leave-me-alone types to return-to-the-land hippies growing organic free range eggs and meat to sell at farmers markets. Are you better off in a county featuring one or the other? Seems like you'd be better off just making sure that your neighbors are decent people regardless of their political persuasion.
There are a lot of black people in the rural South. Latinos are all over the South in recent decades, mainly coming up from Mexico as migrant/seasonal workers.
Gays maybe a different story; there was a lot of intolerance 30 or more years ago. But society, including rural areas, has changed a lot.
You're always going to get some intolerance and small mindedness. You could argue that Jews might not be so welcome in a predominantly Christian church-going area. But there's been a change in attitudes toward Jews in recent decades, partly related to evangelical Christian theology regarding Israel. In fact some of the most fervent Zionists and Israel supporters in the U.S. now are Christians. There is still anti-Semitism, but it's not like 50 years ago.
As regards Confederate flags, since approximately the late 1960s, it's been a sign of defiance against what people regard as an increasingly powerful and overbearing central government. I doubt a single person with such a flag on their lawn actually wants to bring back slavery. Nor do they want to randomly shoot you and dump you in the swamp, Deliverance-style. They just want to be left alone.
There are all sorts out there in rural land, ranging from very conservative, leave-me-alone types to return-to-the-land hippies growing organic free range eggs and meat to sell at farmers markets. Are you better off in a county featuring one or the other? Seems like you'd be better off just making sure that your neighbors are decent people regardless of their political persuasion.
I repp'ed this post, and I must say that I really like it.
As regards Confederate flags, since approximately the late 1960s, it's been a sign of defiance against what people regard as an increasingly powerful and overbearing central government. I doubt a single person with such a flag on their lawn actually wants to bring back slavery. Nor do they want to randomly shoot you and dump you in the swamp, Deliverance-style. They just want to be left alone.
Maybe for some, but not my neighbor. He straight up told me why he flies that flag, and it's for one reason only, because he hates black people with a passion.
There is no doubt in my mind that my neighbors are racist (they fly the C. flag and the blue line flag). I listened to a rant about gays that really offended me, epithets and all. Never mind it was about the deceased family member of my housemate.
There is no doubt in my mind that my neighbors are racist (they fly the C. flag and the blue line flag). I listened to a rant about gays that really offended me, epithets and all. Never mind it was about the deceased family member of my housemate.
Yup, my sister in Northwestern New Jersey has a neighbor with a Confederate flag. LOL, she told my niece she didn't like it that he has that flag because it makes all conservatives look ignorant. My niece, who is half black, just kind of stared at her...like THAT'S the reason you don't like the Confederate flag?
But that sister is generally a fairly moderate conservative, not extreme. I lean more liberal in many ways, but we have more in common than not. And we both love being in the woods and nature more than we care about politics.
Sad that your niece has to live near that.
Confederate flags are not uncommon on Eastern Long Island either, specifically in the working class areas of Suffolk County. You can see them in upstate NY Appalachian towns also.
As to the initial question - Yellow Springs OH, and Woodstock NY are two Left Leaning rural areas.
There is no doubt in my mind that my neighbors are racist (they fly the C. flag and the blue line flag). I listened to a rant about gays that really offended me, epithets and all. Never mind it was about the deceased family member of my housemate.
That's a double whammy. They have made their position clear.
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