4. Attitudes, language of contempt from liberals towards rural, conservatives
In Beyond Contempt, Erica Etelson documents the dismissive attitudes and language of contempt so commonly used by many liberal people and groups towards rural conservatives, Trump supporters and others considered to be regressive or reactionary. This includes everything from condescension to outright disgust. Contempt, according to Etelson, “plays right into the right-wing strategy of deflecting attention away from substantive issues…Contempt becomes the story”.
In this context, Hilary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” statement and Barack Obama’s description of people “clinging to their guns and bibles” becomes proof, in the minds of many, of liberal contempt. So too the oft-heard refrain from well-meaning liberals, “Why do these people vote against their own interests?”.
RECOMMENDED READINGS:
Erica Etelson, “How Liberals Left the White Working Class Behind”
Arlie Hochschild, “Think Republicans are Disconnected from Reality? It’s Even Worse Among Liberals”
Ivy Brashear, “The Lies We’re Told About Appalachia”
Ellie Mae O’Hagan, “The ‘Anti-woke’ Backlash is no Joke – and Progressives are Going to Lose if They Don’t Wise Up”
Anthony Flaccavento, “On Election’s Eve, More Losing Liberal Language”
Erica Etelson, “Snarky Comments”
FOR A DEEPER LOOK:
Erica Etelson, Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide, 2020, New Society Publishers