Going to the country
I went to a wedding this weekend, on a farm in the country. I've spent plenty of time around suburbanites who pretend to be from the country- from phish fans to back to the land anarchists to bluegrass bands. But, this was my first real time on a farm and being around people who've lived their whole lives on farms. The people I met, who were in their early 20s wore straw hats, had hands that were puffy with callouses, and embraced the term redneck. I felt myself assuming they weren't as smart as me or that they were depressed or limiting themselves by staying in a rural setting. I especially found myself assuming that the women were probably trapped with abusive boyfriends. Are these just images from movies playing out or stories about "hicks" from the media? I don't even know where I got my stereotypes of rural life, but I know I was fighting against them while I was at the wedding.
Labels: class, judgemental bullshit, urbanism
posted by wms at 10:24 PM
1 Comments:
I am an African-American from the midwest (not Chicago) and have found those stereotypes of folks that have grown up or simply life in a urban area. Now living in the city, I realize that there is truly some difference but it is a balance this country needs. I tell you what, looking back I would have never wanted to grow up in the city. I enjoyed growing up in a house with a front and back yard. I enjoyed the clean and spacious neighborhood parks. I loved being able to set on my grandparents back porch and watch the storm roll in...without a sense of urgency that I am missing something. I value the idea of appreciating the moments of life without having to rush or the fear of opening my shades to my living room...thinking someone will be casing my house to robb me when I leave for work. We should respect each other (urban and rural) because we can learn balance for each other.
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