A new book shows how many supposed “elitist stereotypes” of rural MAGA voters are true—and backed by hard data.

In the popular imagination of many Americans, particularly those on the left side of the political spectrum, the typical MAGA supporter is a rural resident who hates Black and Brown people, loathes liberals, loves gods and guns, believes in myriad conspiracy theories, has little faith in democracy, and is willing to use violence to achieve their goals, as thousands did on Jan. 6.

According to a new book, White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy, these aren’t hurtful, elitist stereotypes by Acela Corridor denizens and bubble-dwelling liberals… they’re facts.

The authors, Tom Schaller, a professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Paul Waldman, a former columnist at The Washington Post, persuasively argue that most of the negative stereotypes liberals hold about rural Americans are actually true.

  • LinkOpensChest.wav@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    1·
    10 months ago

    Yes, this is typical liberal classism, and it’s the reason so many people in rural areas are easily propagandized. I speak out against this stereotype every chance I get because classism is partially responsible for what put them here in the first place.

    I live in a relatively poor neighborhood, and from what I’ve seen there’s a lot more bigotry and ignorance in white suburbia than there is here. It’s just not as obvious with white suburbia because they live most of their lives in fenced yards and behind closed doors. But people who’ve taken a sociology course in college and then pull up the ladder consistently think their takes are superior to us poors.