Re: A Difficult Question!


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Posted by Jonathan Labaree on May 13, 2003 at 22:51:06 from 24.198.196.209 user JLabaree.

In Reply to: Re: A Difficult Question! posted by John Nichols on May 10, 2003 at 16:41:14:

I go canoeing for a week in the wilds of the Maine North Woods and the board explodes with all sorts of great discussion. I want to weigh in on a number of threads and not really sure where to post this. This seems a good spot.

Rednecks: “Redneck” is a derogatory stereotype pure and simple. That some people choose to call themselves by that term reflects only a desire to make clear their disregard for it -- much like Afro-Americans calling each other the n-word (Tarboard censor prevented use of the real word). By applying the term, we are making the assumption that anyone who matches the physical description of a redneck also shares the less-than-desirable social or political views that have been detailed here (which, of course, exist and are repulsive). By the same token, it is easy to assume that anyone not resembling a redneck does not hold those views. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are plenty of folks who live in trailers and follow NASCAR (a popular form of motorsport in the US) who are kind, fair, and goodhearted. Likewise, there are plenty of Ivy League-educated, country-club belonging, snazzy home-owning people who are racist, misogynist, and very bigoted. Peter H is right – this is American snobbism at its best (worst). Let’s judge others by their words and actions, not their appearance. End of sermon, with apologies to Prof. Dilley for any PC overtones.

Popularity or lack thereof of AR in the US: I agree with others who have turned this question a bit on its head and asked the broader query of why anyone, regardless of nationality, is interested in AR. I am inclined to disagree, however, with the assertion that most of those in the US who love AR are either TARS or on Tarboard. I know plenty of fans who are neither. True, it’s a small group who know and love the books, but they turn up in the strangest of places. We are drawn to the books for the same variety of reasons that others are elsewhere.

Similar examples in American literature: I’m surprised no-one has mentioned Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series. They are supposedly non-fiction, but I’m not sure I completely believe that – based on her life perhaps, but surely enhanced along the way. This is the quintessential American story of the pioneer family heading West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I devoured the books (there must be 15 of them) as a lad, despite the main characters being female and having nothing to do with the sea. I agree with the mentioning of Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew. Sailing stories are harder to come by, but I often point folks toward Robert McClouskey’s children’s books One Morning in Maine and Time of Wonder – very different, I know, but capturing a similar spirit of awe and exploration.

Length of posts: I am delighted that Peter R has been soundly chastised for his sucker-punch at Ed. I found Ed’s piece moving and am honored that he chose to share it with us. I frequently stop reading long posts when my attention lags or time runs short. I expect others do the same and have done so with this contribution.


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