The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Hillbillies in the Mist

Apr 10, 2024

Professor Tyler Austin Harper from Bates College discusses the misrepresentation of rural America, critiquing the media's portrayal of 'hillbillies' and the disdain for these Americans. They explore the need for empathy and cultural understanding to bridge the urban-rural divide, shedding light on the complexities of rural identities and the motivations behind rural voters' support for Trump.

57:09

Episode guests

Tyler Austin Harper

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Labeling based on race and location leads to misunderstandings in American division.

Critiques 'White Rural Rage' portrayal of rural Americans, debunking stereotypes.

Therapeutic libertarianism trend in elite circles challenges societal pressure for constant self-reinvention.

Deep dives

Exploring the Impact of Demographic Divisions on America

Diving into how demographics affect American division, the podcast discusses the negative consequences of labeling groups based on race and location. The speaker, Chris Stierwald, shares insights on how political demography has led to misunderstandings, such as misidentifying Hispanic voters. Stierwald reflects on media coverage focusing on rural areas like Appalachia, highlighting the divisive narratives perpetuated by national media.

Introduction

4min

Challenges and Misconceptions of Rural America

15min

Analysis of Book's Flawed Portrayal of Rural Communities

5min

Rural vs. Urban Divide and Political Motivations

13min

Understanding the Trump Phenomenon

6min

Deconstructing Hillbilly Stereotypes in Media

7min

Exploring the Dark Realities Behind a Media-Promoted Tale of Female Empowerment

5min

Was it your racism or economic despair that made you vote for Donald Trump? That’s the question media outlets are asking white people in the Rust Belt and Appalachia, much to the dismay of guest-host Chris Stirewalt.

In today’s episode of The Remnant, Chris is joined by Tyler Austin Harper—a professor at Bates College—to discuss his piece for The Atlantic critiquing White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy. Join the two as they break down coastal journalists’ mischaracterizations of rural America, the disdain for these Americans, and why it’s good to interact with people culturally different than yourself.

Show Notes:

—Harper for The Atlantic: Polyamory, the Ruling Class’s Latest Fad

—A new AP-NORC poll shows Americans still agree on most core American values

—Tim Carney’s book, Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be

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