White people and Black people are equally as oppressed. The power strategist are successful when they ghettoize us and poison our communities: the white community with ignorance and hate; the black communities with drugs and predatory discrimination. Both communities with disease through unhealthy food and environmental conditions. We are all seeing it clearly now because the same strategy is now being played on the whole country. The US is being formed into the ghetto of the world.
I think there is a basic level of oppression that applies to all, and then there are additional levels of oppression that are directed at various communities like women, LGBTQ+, and minorities. We have to find our allies among the marginalized.
As a white woman, I won’t presume to say my oppression is equal to that of Black people. My experience wasn’t easy but I never worried that I might be shot at a traffic stop.
Thanks Michelle. Im glad that you have eyes to see the truth of the oppressive forces of racism and its effect on black people. We have to see ourselves in each other: “ there… by the Grace of God go I”. I’m just pointing out that I see the oppression in the form of pervasive ignorance and limited options has crippled white communities through mind control. All strategic and intentional. We have to see each other … and unify with new eyes. Then we become the change. WE ARE ONE.
Lala, the same dysfunctions have been documented in both super rich and very poor communities, including addiction, teen pregnancy, pedophilia, bouts of uncontrollable anger, lack of incentive, lack of self-control, the feeling of being trapped (aka hopelessness), suicide, poor grades, low self-esteem, low self-worth, criminal behaviour etc.
That these dysfunctions do not occur nearly as often outside rich or poor communities. suggests economically homogeneous communities breed dysfunction. The only difference is that poor people are trapped in place, while rich people bring their dysfunctions into business, politics, corporations etc.
Absolutely Raffey. My point is that this is all very purposeful. Strategic class management. However, today we are seeing that circle of injustice widening and those of us who are in our minds, do not reside in “those poor homogeneous communities” do not allow ourselves to see that this same strategy has been focused on us. Until we unify and decide to intentionally eliminate “class warfare” we will all experience the same death cycle. We are ONE.
Walter, as usual I agree with you, but only to a point. I think our current struggle is between the American people and corporations By corporations, I mean the piece of paper, or charter, that grants a handful of people legal rights and privileges that no one else enjoys, including the right to lie, steal, kill, rape, and pillage with impunity. Night and day, corporations and their uber-wealthy cohorts work together to increase their wealth, their power, their privileges and their rights.
Whether we call it a civil war, race war, class war or culture war, all of these 'wars' were invented by, funded by, and directed by corporations for corporations. For decades at a time, wars manufactured by corporations have divided people and diverted attention away from corporations.
Interestingly enough, 82% of the American people, agree that corporations have too much power (PEW). 82% means that agreement includes business owners, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, rich, poor, middle class, young, old, rural, urban, educated, and uneducated Americans of all backgrounds and ethnicities. If 82% agreement is not a unifying force, I don't know what is.
Walter, not all rural communities are like yours. Children in many rural communities left home for college and when they graduated they came back home determined to make their home towns a better place. My mountain town was one of those places. We joined a national program, so I know we were not alone.
Thanks to the leadership of our well educated youth, our town went from a boarded up town, to a wealthy town with cutting edge businesses in a short few years. As our farmers, ranchers, and small businesses grew they hired more and more local high school graduates and trained them on the job. It was like a snowball, it kept getting bigger and better all the time.
Once our young people with vision and know-how were in control, our beloved mountain environment, and community spirit were well protected. We've built large affordable housing projects, including developments with financing programs for first time home buyers. We have high tech training schools and educational programs attended by people from all around the world. Our hotel industry houses these students, and so many tourists, 3 new hotels were built. Our farmers and ranchers grow such high value products they attracted companies from Europe to our valleys thereby assuring us a sustainable organic ag industry and the preservation of our high quality groundwater supplies.
That said, I honestly think the success of rural communities stems from a really, really deep love of the land. And that's not something people in all rural communities possess, and its certainly not something a city person could even begin to comprehend.
Walter, I could be wrong, and if I am please tell me, but I've never gotten the impression that you loved the land where you grew up. By love, I mean the falling in love kind of love that your writing suggests you feel for your wife.
When I left my town in California, it nearly broke my heart. I still long for those mountains. I will never know the land here in Kentucky as well as I knew those mountains. But, to my surprise, right here in Kentucky, I found a little rural town as progressive as my own. When I arrived the town was in the process of updating their general plan, and using the same process we'd used back home. It took twenty effing years to get that process legalized at home, so this was a truly wonderful surprise.
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes children to raise a village.
I counted the days until I could leave. College was such a relief. I went back home for the summer after my freshman year and it was unbearable. I stayed at school year-round after that, even though it meant deep poverty — no phone, no car, scrounging for food I couldn’t afford to buy.
The little rural towns where I grew up in the early to mid ‘60’s were different, although I absolutely recognize elements of what Walter speaks of. At least some of us (though not all - I definitely perceived that)were taught to aspire to more, and encouraged and often aided, if needed, in going to college. Racism was still rampant, but many of my Black friends also went to college and graduated. However, my towns were not little red rural towns. They were little blue rural towns. I wonder if that was the difference?
Probably was. On the Iron Range of MN there is a lot of resentment locally to the kids leaving all these years. Part of my recognizes the personal feeling of failure it must be to watch all the talent leave and hate change. But they could have made it better for those who left to come back. Unfortunately they still haven't figured it out on much of the Iron Range. That area went from Strong Blue to purple in spots and mostly red.
I live in the house my grandparents built by hand. That’s one reason I stayed
Another is it is beautiful here. The Chestnut Ridge is stunning. The rivers, the creeks, the woods all the green
There are scars and carcinogens left behind from our industrial past. Coal slag piles, abandoned coke ovens, mine subsidence, and sink holes
I knew that I should leave because I am unconventional. I liked books and long walks by myself. Didn’t want to get married or have children. I was a McGovern supporter in 1972. Every one else voted for Nixon
I did leave to go to university, but I came back because I wanted to help the people that lived here. To improve their lives a little. It’s been an uphill battle. They consistently vote against their own interests. So many are afraid to push the boundaries to question the status quo
The hardest part about getting away for school or training is that maybe you get the degree or certification but the hard work of hanging in at a new profession with no extra resources until you gain enough work experience is incredibly difficult. You have no social network to turn to. There’s the people you know back home and you are always breaking snow.
Being alone and going down a trail that blown over with snow up to mid-thigh.
I had my husband and together we took turns with breaking trail, but I was the first person to get a university degree in my family. My husband trained as an insurance adjuster and took university courses while he worked until he earned his degree six years ago.
But two of my sisters found it easier to go away for polytechnic training after I went first. My brother went away to Agricultural School. It was easier for them after I went first nobody asked them “what are you going away to school for?”
Most other people in my town never finished the degree they started. They went back home and stopped schooling.
It’s important to change the ideas about education that many people have. An education packs light and is endlessly useful 🌹
Of course their are towns that "aren't that bad" but in my experience even "progressive" small towns have a higher percentage of what Walter speaks of than the norm. The more remote, the more backwards.
This is a great example. Raffey and Walter….you are now connected. Raffey, do you have contacts in your small town that can connect and share resources with contacts that Walter has of change makers in his small town? We have to unify our efforts and enlarge our communities through thought, action and belief. We Are ONE.
This explains so much. The blatant disregard for higher education , the mean narrowing minds . The stereotypes that are dumped on people who can see the truth and express it .
I wanted to finish high school. If I’d known “High School Graduate” and “GED” would wind up the same checkbox on the application, I’d have dropped out at 16 and gotten my GED instead of wasting those last two years. But they were still feeding us “GEDs say LOSER” when I was in school and I foolishly believed them.
Walter this comment from your guidance counselor who said this comment, People from our town who go to college,” he said, “tend to fail out. It will be a waste of money. You don't have what it takes to make it" has no business in education. I know this article goes deeper into this and I understand that too. But to see there are educators out there spewing this garbage down a young person's throat when they are at a time in their life when they look to others for guidance is just despicable friend. I am so sorry that you experienced this. Though I was just a paraprofessional my goal was to ensure every child no matter what had an equal opportunity to get the education they deserved. I never grew up in a rural town but I believe the oppression is equally as great in a bit city at least I thought so. I felt I was overlooked for many jobs in the School District due to the color of my skin. I know those are strong words but I experienced it. Sadly it is on both sides and it is just pitiful, to be honest. I enjoyed reading this Walter. You always give a unique perspective on everything which always has me thinking. Thanks as always for providing such fantastic insights. Blessings to you and your family. :) :)
White people and Black people are equally as oppressed. The power strategist are successful when they ghettoize us and poison our communities: the white community with ignorance and hate; the black communities with drugs and predatory discrimination. Both communities with disease through unhealthy food and environmental conditions. We are all seeing it clearly now because the same strategy is now being played on the whole country. The US is being formed into the ghetto of the world.
I think there is a basic level of oppression that applies to all, and then there are additional levels of oppression that are directed at various communities like women, LGBTQ+, and minorities. We have to find our allies among the marginalized.
As a white woman, I won’t presume to say my oppression is equal to that of Black people. My experience wasn’t easy but I never worried that I might be shot at a traffic stop.
Thanks Michelle. Im glad that you have eyes to see the truth of the oppressive forces of racism and its effect on black people. We have to see ourselves in each other: “ there… by the Grace of God go I”. I’m just pointing out that I see the oppression in the form of pervasive ignorance and limited options has crippled white communities through mind control. All strategic and intentional. We have to see each other … and unify with new eyes. Then we become the change. WE ARE ONE.
Lala, the same dysfunctions have been documented in both super rich and very poor communities, including addiction, teen pregnancy, pedophilia, bouts of uncontrollable anger, lack of incentive, lack of self-control, the feeling of being trapped (aka hopelessness), suicide, poor grades, low self-esteem, low self-worth, criminal behaviour etc.
That these dysfunctions do not occur nearly as often outside rich or poor communities. suggests economically homogeneous communities breed dysfunction. The only difference is that poor people are trapped in place, while rich people bring their dysfunctions into business, politics, corporations etc.
Absolutely Raffey. My point is that this is all very purposeful. Strategic class management. However, today we are seeing that circle of injustice widening and those of us who are in our minds, do not reside in “those poor homogeneous communities” do not allow ourselves to see that this same strategy has been focused on us. Until we unify and decide to intentionally eliminate “class warfare” we will all experience the same death cycle. We are ONE.
Walter, as usual I agree with you, but only to a point. I think our current struggle is between the American people and corporations By corporations, I mean the piece of paper, or charter, that grants a handful of people legal rights and privileges that no one else enjoys, including the right to lie, steal, kill, rape, and pillage with impunity. Night and day, corporations and their uber-wealthy cohorts work together to increase their wealth, their power, their privileges and their rights.
Whether we call it a civil war, race war, class war or culture war, all of these 'wars' were invented by, funded by, and directed by corporations for corporations. For decades at a time, wars manufactured by corporations have divided people and diverted attention away from corporations.
Interestingly enough, 82% of the American people, agree that corporations have too much power (PEW). 82% means that agreement includes business owners, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, rich, poor, middle class, young, old, rural, urban, educated, and uneducated Americans of all backgrounds and ethnicities. If 82% agreement is not a unifying force, I don't know what is.
Walter, not all rural communities are like yours. Children in many rural communities left home for college and when they graduated they came back home determined to make their home towns a better place. My mountain town was one of those places. We joined a national program, so I know we were not alone.
Thanks to the leadership of our well educated youth, our town went from a boarded up town, to a wealthy town with cutting edge businesses in a short few years. As our farmers, ranchers, and small businesses grew they hired more and more local high school graduates and trained them on the job. It was like a snowball, it kept getting bigger and better all the time.
Once our young people with vision and know-how were in control, our beloved mountain environment, and community spirit were well protected. We've built large affordable housing projects, including developments with financing programs for first time home buyers. We have high tech training schools and educational programs attended by people from all around the world. Our hotel industry houses these students, and so many tourists, 3 new hotels were built. Our farmers and ranchers grow such high value products they attracted companies from Europe to our valleys thereby assuring us a sustainable organic ag industry and the preservation of our high quality groundwater supplies.
That said, I honestly think the success of rural communities stems from a really, really deep love of the land. And that's not something people in all rural communities possess, and its certainly not something a city person could even begin to comprehend.
Walter, I could be wrong, and if I am please tell me, but I've never gotten the impression that you loved the land where you grew up. By love, I mean the falling in love kind of love that your writing suggests you feel for your wife.
When I left my town in California, it nearly broke my heart. I still long for those mountains. I will never know the land here in Kentucky as well as I knew those mountains. But, to my surprise, right here in Kentucky, I found a little rural town as progressive as my own. When I arrived the town was in the process of updating their general plan, and using the same process we'd used back home. It took twenty effing years to get that process legalized at home, so this was a truly wonderful surprise.
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes children to raise a village.
I really don't understand why people feel compelled to say things like "not all small towns are like that."
I mean, "not all people are murderers," but we still need to worry about murder as a social issue.
The same thing is true with corrupt small towns. We won't solve the problem by ignoring it or by pretending it doesn't exist.
Thanks for the comment!
Growing up in an alcoholic, abusive family in a city in a purple state much the same. Why aren't we helping children who need it wherever they are?
That is absolutely the question we should be asking. I think we'd find agreement there. We aren't doing things to help kids in need.
I counted the days until I could leave. College was such a relief. I went back home for the summer after my freshman year and it was unbearable. I stayed at school year-round after that, even though it meant deep poverty — no phone, no car, scrounging for food I couldn’t afford to buy.
But I was free.
My release came after college when I moved to Peru. I was too broken down even after college, but I found my footing abroad.
The little rural towns where I grew up in the early to mid ‘60’s were different, although I absolutely recognize elements of what Walter speaks of. At least some of us (though not all - I definitely perceived that)were taught to aspire to more, and encouraged and often aided, if needed, in going to college. Racism was still rampant, but many of my Black friends also went to college and graduated. However, my towns were not little red rural towns. They were little blue rural towns. I wonder if that was the difference?
Probably was. On the Iron Range of MN there is a lot of resentment locally to the kids leaving all these years. Part of my recognizes the personal feeling of failure it must be to watch all the talent leave and hate change. But they could have made it better for those who left to come back. Unfortunately they still haven't figured it out on much of the Iron Range. That area went from Strong Blue to purple in spots and mostly red.
I live in the house my grandparents built by hand. That’s one reason I stayed
Another is it is beautiful here. The Chestnut Ridge is stunning. The rivers, the creeks, the woods all the green
There are scars and carcinogens left behind from our industrial past. Coal slag piles, abandoned coke ovens, mine subsidence, and sink holes
I knew that I should leave because I am unconventional. I liked books and long walks by myself. Didn’t want to get married or have children. I was a McGovern supporter in 1972. Every one else voted for Nixon
I did leave to go to university, but I came back because I wanted to help the people that lived here. To improve their lives a little. It’s been an uphill battle. They consistently vote against their own interests. So many are afraid to push the boundaries to question the status quo
No words! Thank you though for posting truth.
Thank you for reading!
The hardest part about getting away for school or training is that maybe you get the degree or certification but the hard work of hanging in at a new profession with no extra resources until you gain enough work experience is incredibly difficult. You have no social network to turn to. There’s the people you know back home and you are always breaking snow.
Being alone and going down a trail that blown over with snow up to mid-thigh.
I had my husband and together we took turns with breaking trail, but I was the first person to get a university degree in my family. My husband trained as an insurance adjuster and took university courses while he worked until he earned his degree six years ago.
But two of my sisters found it easier to go away for polytechnic training after I went first. My brother went away to Agricultural School. It was easier for them after I went first nobody asked them “what are you going away to school for?”
Most other people in my town never finished the degree they started. They went back home and stopped schooling.
It’s important to change the ideas about education that many people have. An education packs light and is endlessly useful 🌹
Of course their are towns that "aren't that bad" but in my experience even "progressive" small towns have a higher percentage of what Walter speaks of than the norm. The more remote, the more backwards.
This is a great example. Raffey and Walter….you are now connected. Raffey, do you have contacts in your small town that can connect and share resources with contacts that Walter has of change makers in his small town? We have to unify our efforts and enlarge our communities through thought, action and belief. We Are ONE.
Thank you, Walter! I would repost this ten more times! 😞
This explains so much. The blatant disregard for higher education , the mean narrowing minds . The stereotypes that are dumped on people who can see the truth and express it .
The writing was truth in raw form . Thank you .
I wanted to finish high school. If I’d known “High School Graduate” and “GED” would wind up the same checkbox on the application, I’d have dropped out at 16 and gotten my GED instead of wasting those last two years. But they were still feeding us “GEDs say LOSER” when I was in school and I foolishly believed them.
Absolutely
Walter this comment from your guidance counselor who said this comment, People from our town who go to college,” he said, “tend to fail out. It will be a waste of money. You don't have what it takes to make it" has no business in education. I know this article goes deeper into this and I understand that too. But to see there are educators out there spewing this garbage down a young person's throat when they are at a time in their life when they look to others for guidance is just despicable friend. I am so sorry that you experienced this. Though I was just a paraprofessional my goal was to ensure every child no matter what had an equal opportunity to get the education they deserved. I never grew up in a rural town but I believe the oppression is equally as great in a bit city at least I thought so. I felt I was overlooked for many jobs in the School District due to the color of my skin. I know those are strong words but I experienced it. Sadly it is on both sides and it is just pitiful, to be honest. I enjoyed reading this Walter. You always give a unique perspective on everything which always has me thinking. Thanks as always for providing such fantastic insights. Blessings to you and your family. :) :)