There have been people who have explored the cracker south, but more than anyone, it has been MLK Jr who helped me understand them and ... accept them (something most 'liberals' do not do). He puts together how the plight of the poor white, southern or other, is linked to the plight of blacks... and browns, though he was not so up on that, but all fits.
I want to be very clear about this........I have always viewed the poverty issues in the South as multi racial. Hell, in East KY, its mostly the poor whites who are getting screwed. So badly, that over time too many have become heavy drug users.
What has infuriated me is that too many Southerners are anesthetized by religion and patriotism while allowing the fat cats to keep skimming off the creme and leaving very little for the rest. What has balanced the playing field in other parts of the country is a heavy emphasis on education. That has led to a more liberal spreading of the wealth. I haven't seen much of that in the South. Actually, I take that back.....places like TX, FLA and NC have increased their emphasis on education and those states have broken the yoke of poverty. Other southern states have not broken through yet. I am hoping TN, GA and ALA will be next. |
