The many divides within the United States are due to many issues, but for any serious conversation to be had in breaking down these barriers, the demonization of red-state voters needs to be dealt with.
On a surface level, it is easy to see why many people feel no sympathy for voters within red states. Unfortunately, the situation has never been as black and white as so many wish it were to be. While there are no doubt voters who are completely on board with the Trump administration, many red-state voters are either misinformed, desperate, poorly educated, or simply gerrymandered.
While most of the blame can be laid on the poorly funded schooling systems within many of these states, the other half of that blame can be laid on the democratic party’s failure to reach potential voters within rural areas.
Due to the scars of slavery and Jim Crow, the South and rural areas in general within the United States, have had a terrible time shedding the negative image those historical periods have left those places. Adding on the bad experiences people have had growing up in these places, it has led to many being unsympathetic whenever voters within red states are hit with the repercussions of their lawmaker’s bad decisions.
The 2021 Texas Power Crisis, which left hundreds of thousands freezing in their homes due to a grid failure, had many within blue states ridiculing them online instead of expressing sympathy. Similar events have happened across social media recently during Hurricane Helene in Appalachia and even during Hurricane Katrina.
People within blue states often forget that these places aren’t all red, minority groups call these places home too. Even if these states were completely red, that doesn’t mean that these people don’t deserve concern or compassion. While many don’t want to admit it, this vitriol against red-state voters is helping no one.
Antagonizing these people will only push them further and further away into groups like Maga. That does not mean people can’t have disagreements or even have to be friendly, but if Democrats want to engage in productive conversation, there needs to be a middle ground. Breaking down your values into layman’s terms and meeting red-state voters where they are may be the only way forward.
