I'm really disappointed by the rhetoric in these comments. I'm also disappointed that this guy was elected governor. However, I think it would be nice if people recognized West Virginia's history before basically "slurring" the State's entire population. West Virginia exists because half of Virginia opposed slavery and decided they didn't want to be part of the confederacy. It's also the location of multiple famous labor disputes, such as the battle of Blair Mountain, a literal battle between striking union workers and corporate-backed private security.
I don't appreciate people pejoratively calling all West Virginias "sister fuckers". I don't appreciate the ignorance to the fact that the phrase "redneck" originates from the red bandanas worn by striking Virginian laborers. That's a phrase that should be used to show respect, not for denigration.
West Virginians are underprivileged. The state was a victim of obscene wealth and resource extraction at the hands of mining companies, from which they have never recovered. It's also a state with a rich history of working class solidarity and rebellion. I can't think of a less evil permutation of "rural, southern living". I can't imagine a more "perfect" victim of the socioeconomic/political landscape in the southern United States. And if urban/coastal leftists can't find solidarity with even THESE rural people, I don't see how there's any hope for unity in this country.
Sorry for the long comment. Maybe I'm overreacting but this comment section has utterly disgusted me. The dehumanizing language and gleeful hopes about harm befalling an entire state's population are gross, weird, and deplorable.
I'm really disappointed by the rhetoric in these comments. I'm also disappointed that this guy was elected governor. However, I think it would be nice if people recognized West Virginia's history before basically "slurring" the State's entire population. West Virginia exists because half of Virginia opposed slavery and decided they didn't want to be part of the confederacy. It's also the location of multiple famous labor disputes, such as the battle of Blair Mountain, a literal battle between striking union workers and corporate-backed private security.
I don't appreciate people pejoratively calling all West Virginias "sister fuckers". I don't appreciate the ignorance to the fact that the phrase "redneck" originates from the red bandanas worn by striking Virginian laborers. That's a phrase that should be used to show respect, not for denigration.
West Virginians are underprivileged. The state was a victim of obscene wealth and resource extraction at the hands of mining companies, from which they have never recovered. It's also a state with a rich history of working class solidarity and rebellion. I can't think of a less evil permutation of "rural, southern living". I can't imagine a more "perfect" victim of the socioeconomic/political landscape in the southern United States. And if urban/coastal leftists can't find solidarity with even THESE rural people, I don't see how there's any hope for unity in this country.
Sorry for the long comment. Maybe I'm overreacting but this comment section has utterly disgusted me. The dehumanizing language and gleeful hopes about harm befalling an entire state's population are gross, weird, and deplorable.