Bigotry Against the South
The standard prejudice of many elites in media and politics against Southern Americans should come as no surprise. It certainly doesn't to those who live in the South. It is routine that a "redneck" will be discussed and portrayed in the most bigoted terms without any fear of consequence. Yet, if a Southern man or woman refers in a derogatory manner to any other group, they are denounced as bigots and slandered.
The Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization committed "to secure justice and fair treatment for ALL," will probably not utter a word over the recent bigoted statements by the Jewish media pundit, Andrea Mitchell, who referred to Bristol, Virginia as "redneck, sort of bordering-on-Appalachia country."
Mitchell quickly apologized for her idiotic bigotry stating:
Bristol, Virginia--and the whole Tri-Cities area--remains as one of the more Reformed sectors of the United States. In fact, the best of America is out there. They're not an MTV, Eastern Establishment, gay marriage, war mongering community. They're Christian.
As of the 2000 census, Bristol was 92.54% White. That may have to do with the disparaging of the community by the Northeastern know-it-alls. A high concentration of anglo-americans must be full of ignoramuses, and since they have no national voice, this delightful territory cannot adequately defend itself from the stereotyping of elites like Mitchell.
One might ask, "Chris, why are you highlighting the fact that she's Jewish? Why not simply say that she's a secular media personality?" That wasn't the charge brought against Don Imus when he referred to a Black woman's basketball teams as "nappy-headed ho's":
Imus, like Mitchell, quickly apologized for his comments:
But Imus' apology was insufficient. The rage came from all quarters. The usual soapboxing of Al Sharpton was expected, but the ADL jumped in stating the Imus' firing was "a long time in coming":
Mitchell also contrasted Southwestern Virginia with Northern Virginia by saying "This is not the Northern Virginia, you know, the sort of high-tech corridor." Mitchell is not aware that "Bristol, Virginia boasts one of the most advanced broadband networks in the country" (See Bristol Virginia Utilities). Bristol is also considered to be the birthplace of country music, and named one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education. It's hardly a city of ignorant peoples.
Redneckophobia is the problem here: an unnatural fear of White Southern people and culture. Hollywood and media have routinely ridiculed, mocked, and slandered the South for decades, and Mitchell's commentary goes unnoticed by a society brainwashed to believe such things. That's why nothing will likely happen to Mitchell. Just like nothing happens to Howard Stern, Jerry Springer, or Maury Povich, though all three peddle some of the most despicable media content in the history of American communications. There is a clear double standard, but if anyone--like myself--says such things, we are easily defeated by labeling us as anti-semitic, racist, or "redneck."
The Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization committed "to secure justice and fair treatment for ALL," will probably not utter a word over the recent bigoted statements by the Jewish media pundit, Andrea Mitchell, who referred to Bristol, Virginia as "redneck, sort of bordering-on-Appalachia country."
Mitchell quickly apologized for her idiotic bigotry stating:
"I owe an apology to the good people of Bristol, Virginia, for something stupid that I said last week. I was trying to explain based on reporting from Democratic strategists why Barack Obama was campaigning in southwest Virginia. But without attribution or explanation, I used a term strategists often use to demean an entire community."That's fine and dandy, but we cannot allow this to go without the standard punishment--something like a good ol' fashioned Don Imus excommunication! Or, how about some Mel Gibson-like groveling? She claims she "made a mistake," but that is an inaccurate portrayal of her sin. Spilling milk is a mistake. Calling a group of people rednecks of Appalachian stock is an intentional statement of bigotry. If Imus goes, then so does she. This double-standard among Jewish elites is pathetic. From one side of their mouth they position themselves as the great champions against prejudice, while out of the other side of their mouths they spew disdain for the southern Christian backbone of what's left of the West.
Bristol, Virginia--and the whole Tri-Cities area--remains as one of the more Reformed sectors of the United States. In fact, the best of America is out there. They're not an MTV, Eastern Establishment, gay marriage, war mongering community. They're Christian.
As of the 2000 census, Bristol was 92.54% White. That may have to do with the disparaging of the community by the Northeastern know-it-alls. A high concentration of anglo-americans must be full of ignoramuses, and since they have no national voice, this delightful territory cannot adequately defend itself from the stereotyping of elites like Mitchell.
One might ask, "Chris, why are you highlighting the fact that she's Jewish? Why not simply say that she's a secular media personality?" That wasn't the charge brought against Don Imus when he referred to a Black woman's basketball teams as "nappy-headed ho's":
Imus, like Mitchell, quickly apologized for his comments:
But Imus' apology was insufficient. The rage came from all quarters. The usual soapboxing of Al Sharpton was expected, but the ADL jumped in stating the Imus' firing was "a long time in coming":
"It is about time that Imus has finally been called to account for engaging in racism and intolerance on his program," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "He's gotten away with insensitive and stereotypical remarks about Blacks, Jews, women, homosexuals and others far too often. His suspension by CBS Radio and MSNBC was a long time in coming. Mr. Imus has to be held accountable, and must continue to be held accountable for his use of the public airwaves to promote racism and anti-Semitism."I don't believe we'll hear from Mr. Foxman regarding the bigotry of Andrea Mitchell. After all, she was ambiguous in only disparaging a "region" instead of a people group. But, that would be a gross misstatement. Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee--and the Tri-Cities region--is a nearly all-White community and Mitchell understands this to be the case. When say "Appalachian," you're not referring to Asians, Latinos, or Blacks. You're referring to longstanding Southern Whites.
Mitchell also contrasted Southwestern Virginia with Northern Virginia by saying "This is not the Northern Virginia, you know, the sort of high-tech corridor." Mitchell is not aware that "Bristol, Virginia boasts one of the most advanced broadband networks in the country" (See Bristol Virginia Utilities). Bristol is also considered to be the birthplace of country music, and named one of the Best 100 Communities for Music Education. It's hardly a city of ignorant peoples.
Redneckophobia is the problem here: an unnatural fear of White Southern people and culture. Hollywood and media have routinely ridiculed, mocked, and slandered the South for decades, and Mitchell's commentary goes unnoticed by a society brainwashed to believe such things. That's why nothing will likely happen to Mitchell. Just like nothing happens to Howard Stern, Jerry Springer, or Maury Povich, though all three peddle some of the most despicable media content in the history of American communications. There is a clear double standard, but if anyone--like myself--says such things, we are easily defeated by labeling us as anti-semitic, racist, or "redneck."
