Two Links

[tealin]

My good friend tony_cliff has written an excellent entry calling out 'fine art.' Preach it, Tony!

Then, just when I thought I had settled in, I read a surprisingly insightful article on rednecks and was reminded that this is a completely foreign country.

Comments

[canisdoofus.livejournal.com]

Awww... thanks! ;) I love you, Tea! (and I doubt you would have posted such an article if you didn't want at least a little open discussion.

"As long as you don't make a habit of aggressive intolerance and open bigotry you're welcome to any opinion you wish to carry (though perhaps 'racist' might be going a bit far because I don't think rednecks quite qualify as an ethnic group)."

When have I ever? And you are right regarding rednecks being an "ethnic" group: I have actually met some black "rednecks" (gun-toting, anti-federal, Republican-Voting, hunting, fishing...) in central Florida. Nevertheless, they should definitely be considered a "culture". In fact, "yokel culture" exists all over the world. We Cubans call them "Guajiros" (pronounced Gwa-HI-ros). The term was coined during the Spanish-American War, when Roosevelt captured San Juan Hill. The poor farmers of Eastern Cuba that took up arms beside the Americans were known amongst their comrades as "War Heroes". Now imagine someone saying that term in swarthy Cuban Spanish. What comes out is "ese tipo es tremendo guajiro!" ("That guy is an awesome war hero!")

I can totally see where mainstream Canada is coming from. Privacy is a very cherished entity there. Canadians love freedom. Like middle America, they enjoy not having a large federal government interfering with daily life. They cherish being able to do what their hearts desire in the privacy of their own home without fear of breaking the law, or offending anyone. For example: *cough*MARIJUANA*cough* (no pun intended), gay rights, reproductive rights, rights to own firearms, etc. without a Big Brother figure's approval.

Lately in American culture, this view of the local state governments having more power than the federal government has gone astray. Across party lines, most Republicans would actually fall under this 'libertarian' umbrella, with the very notable exception of a certain buffoon sitting in the Oval Office right now. Most Democrats, on the other hand, favor a large government being "mother hen" with regards to wealth redistribution, affirmative action, government programs, etc.: this is where Obama and Bush actually have AAAAALLLLOOOOTTT more in common than the media would EVER in 100,000,000,000 years admit.

I digress: why CAN'T someone like myself (a Catholic Hispanic and HARDLY "middle American") who holds a college diploma and who has gotten to know the world beyond US borders at a relatively young age also cherish the mainstream ideals and values that define "Middle America"?

Yes, I did not mean that about California. I DO love Sonoma.... and its wines! :) It's just not my favorite state. I just wish their representatives and senators would stop assuming that what is right for California isn't necessarily the same thing that is right for Florida. Or Missouri, Or Montana...

On a side note: My dad has gone hunting in British Columbia many many times. He loves it there. The only time he was upset was when some animal rights activists at Vancouver Airport stole his black bear skin. He got it back, though.

[twirlynoodle.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I realized after posting that the 'make a habit of' line could be interpreted as 'I'll let you get away with it this once...' but I couldn't think of a better way to word it. Sorry! I only wanted to make a point of it because the only person I have ever struck off my friends list (and only then after much deliberation and a very long grace period) was someone who did make a habit of it, and with increasing vehemence.

Rednecks are absolutely a cultural group, with that I have no argument. Just not a race. Nothing biological sets them apart.

That's a cool story about the Guajiros, thanks for sharing!

Canadians do value their privacy and freedom, though they are generally much more favourably disposed to what right-wing Americans would call 'big government:' there are extensive government programs for practically any disadvantaged group, there's a great big safety net if you lose your job or are disabled in any way, there's tons of support for students, subsidies for ... well ... everything, and health care! There's lots of debate on how to reform the health care system, but the one thing everyone can agree on is 'We don't want what the US has.' And, frankly, having lived in both places as an adult, now, I heartily agree with them.

I think California's (and Oregon's, and Washington's) congresspeople are just reacting to the perception that the representatives of all the red states think they know what's right for them. The whole political system runs on reciprocation and vindictiveness!