Yes, I was absolutely thinking about the fact that a black person could obviously NOT jog that road. Something I didn't include but maybe I should -- One black pickup did pass me driving in both directions several times, full of young guys playing loud music, windows down. I assured myself they were just going back and forth because they have little to do but drive their truck in that place, or maybe they were picking up and dropping off their friends. As a woman alone, it was a little disconcerting. But if I wasn't white, it would have been frightening.
I did give a low rating and post a comment on the rental house in VRBO. As I stated there, the house was excellent--but how can the owner offer this place for rent to the public? What the hell would it be like for a black family to rent that house? It's a great conundrum re: free speech vs. credible threats. As you say, the Arbery case is so relevant.
It hurts my soul when I try to put myself in the shoes of the people that live in that neighborhood. For the most part, I imagine they must be decent human beings, as evident in the friendly exchanges you had with White Truck. But the gleeful display of their prideful embrace of such indecent symbols and people makes it painful to empathize with them.
Hey Nate -- thanks for commenting! What you wrote here unfortunately applies equally well to my experience at the gun show last weekend. Everyone was very nice, exuberantly friendly in fact. There, in their own kind of space, and not being challenged directly, they were just as gregarious and open to conversation as anyone else would be at a fun weekend event. But taking a look at the slogans on their merchandise completely changes the story.
Lordy, where to begin? The experiences with the man in the white pickup resonate with me even more than the imagery of the hateful flags and threatening signs , as it seems, is the case with most of your readers. All I can think of is this is the kind of place where people, particularly Black people, would be more inclined to run FROM something rather than run FOR health and well-being. I also am constantly amazed by the level of fear that is so stark in these communities, though they've been sold this narrative from every right to far-right to crazytown right medium out there. It makes me think of the gun-toting couple from Missouri who were waving their sidearms around while peaceful protestors file past their McMansion.
You ARE "most of my readers," Hillary! I had forgotten about that ridiculous suburban guard couple -- it's a good connection.
Someone on FB shared with me today that she and her partner have seen things like this around more than one VRBO house they've rented in more remote areas. She added Blue Lives Matter signs to the list.
The idea of where you can now go for a "retreat" is interesting. Most people consider getting out of the city somehow required for a relaxing escape--but more and more the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas are covered in this kind of racist and far-right rhetoric. Considering the longer history of white flight to escape integration in the cities decades ago, it's not that surprising.
Returning to the VRBO theme--I'm really thinking the ratings categories for vacation rentals could allow for an assessment of the inclusiveness of the surrounding area. I know that many businesses and commercial ventures, especially those affiliated with vacations and relaxation, want to leave the "culture wars" out of it, but places like this are physically right in that space. It seems to bear mentioning.
For rent: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, fully stocked kitchen, with an unobstructed view of the river, 5 Trump signs, 2 Confederate flags, 25 security cameras, and a couple of death threats. Still interested?
Our recent trip to Hocking Hills was a study in social contrast. Ohio, particularly rural Ohio, is drenched in Trumpiness, but Hocking Hills is an extremely popular hicking destination. I'm sure you sense where I'm going with this. Hiking attracts many different types of people, but I will go out on a limb and say the majority tend to be crunchy outdoorsy types or urban fitness-seekers with dispoisable incomes. I don't fit in either category, but I probably agree more with the politics of both than I do with the local residents. It was not super agressive there (occasional flag or 2024 sign) but the vibe was present.
I think they'd rather be shot by one of their own neighbors like a rogue armadillo than endure that, Francis!
Seeing the MAGA abbreviation made me think of how this campaign's slogans work. It's SAAg for Save America Again! Perfect -- because your white Christian nationalist haven is really going to suck.
The white man with a shot gun in a pick up truck reminded me of Easy Rider especially the ending.
Ok now I have to go back and watch that for the first time since college!
Also reminded me of Ahmaud Arbury jogging down the road. And there were a lot of warning signs like you saw posted in that neighborhood.
Yes, I was absolutely thinking about the fact that a black person could obviously NOT jog that road. Something I didn't include but maybe I should -- One black pickup did pass me driving in both directions several times, full of young guys playing loud music, windows down. I assured myself they were just going back and forth because they have little to do but drive their truck in that place, or maybe they were picking up and dropping off their friends. As a woman alone, it was a little disconcerting. But if I wasn't white, it would have been frightening.
I did give a low rating and post a comment on the rental house in VRBO. As I stated there, the house was excellent--but how can the owner offer this place for rent to the public? What the hell would it be like for a black family to rent that house? It's a great conundrum re: free speech vs. credible threats. As you say, the Arbery case is so relevant.
I meant WEREN'T a lot of those kind of paranoid, racist signs in the neighborhood where A. Arbury was jogging.
Oh! Thanks for clarifying that--I didn't think I had heard so, but I was about to look that up!
Also reminded me of Ahmaud Arbury jogging down the road. And there weren't a lot of warning signs like you saw posted in that neighborhood.
It hurts my soul when I try to put myself in the shoes of the people that live in that neighborhood. For the most part, I imagine they must be decent human beings, as evident in the friendly exchanges you had with White Truck. But the gleeful display of their prideful embrace of such indecent symbols and people makes it painful to empathize with them.
Hey Nate -- thanks for commenting! What you wrote here unfortunately applies equally well to my experience at the gun show last weekend. Everyone was very nice, exuberantly friendly in fact. There, in their own kind of space, and not being challenged directly, they were just as gregarious and open to conversation as anyone else would be at a fun weekend event. But taking a look at the slogans on their merchandise completely changes the story.
Lordy, where to begin? The experiences with the man in the white pickup resonate with me even more than the imagery of the hateful flags and threatening signs , as it seems, is the case with most of your readers. All I can think of is this is the kind of place where people, particularly Black people, would be more inclined to run FROM something rather than run FOR health and well-being. I also am constantly amazed by the level of fear that is so stark in these communities, though they've been sold this narrative from every right to far-right to crazytown right medium out there. It makes me think of the gun-toting couple from Missouri who were waving their sidearms around while peaceful protestors file past their McMansion.
You ARE "most of my readers," Hillary! I had forgotten about that ridiculous suburban guard couple -- it's a good connection.
Someone on FB shared with me today that she and her partner have seen things like this around more than one VRBO house they've rented in more remote areas. She added Blue Lives Matter signs to the list.
The idea of where you can now go for a "retreat" is interesting. Most people consider getting out of the city somehow required for a relaxing escape--but more and more the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas are covered in this kind of racist and far-right rhetoric. Considering the longer history of white flight to escape integration in the cities decades ago, it's not that surprising.
Returning to the VRBO theme--I'm really thinking the ratings categories for vacation rentals could allow for an assessment of the inclusiveness of the surrounding area. I know that many businesses and commercial ventures, especially those affiliated with vacations and relaxation, want to leave the "culture wars" out of it, but places like this are physically right in that space. It seems to bear mentioning.
For rent: 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, fully stocked kitchen, with an unobstructed view of the river, 5 Trump signs, 2 Confederate flags, 25 security cameras, and a couple of death threats. Still interested?
Our recent trip to Hocking Hills was a study in social contrast. Ohio, particularly rural Ohio, is drenched in Trumpiness, but Hocking Hills is an extremely popular hicking destination. I'm sure you sense where I'm going with this. Hiking attracts many different types of people, but I will go out on a limb and say the majority tend to be crunchy outdoorsy types or urban fitness-seekers with dispoisable incomes. I don't fit in either category, but I probably agree more with the politics of both than I do with the local residents. It was not super agressive there (occasional flag or 2024 sign) but the vibe was present.
Those MAGA folks need a month in a WOKE Boot Camp
for De-Programming. Including free bus transportation to Martha's Vineyard.
Then on to DISNEY WORLD to celebrate removal of mind shackles!
I think they'd rather be shot by one of their own neighbors like a rogue armadillo than endure that, Francis!
Seeing the MAGA abbreviation made me think of how this campaign's slogans work. It's SAAg for Save America Again! Perfect -- because your white Christian nationalist haven is really going to suck.
They probably don't get many Grub Hub deliveries back there.
Haha, I hope not for the drivers' sake. I would like to deliver your General Tso's, but this sign here says I won't survive the trip, so...