_____________yes. I am a country boy. I was made (fun of) today for being (country) in quite a ridiculing way. Now – don’t misunderstand me – I have a thick skin (so to speak) – and because someone (insulted) me for being (country) doesn’t reduce me to “crying in my beer” so to speak – because of their ignorance – (and yes, it was meant as an insult) – and it won’t be the first or last time I’m ever insulted for a variety of things I am or (am) not I am sure… (small smile).
However – this particular insult gave me cause to stop and think – we as people in general sure paint others with a broad paint brush – we say that we don’t judge – but we do – and I say that too – and I never (mean) to – but I am human – and I have my flaws (many of them) - but I’m not afraid to admit them – and I’ve been guilty of it (judging) too …we all have no matter how well-meaning or forward thinking we perceive ourselves to be.
We put people into (groups) – and we assume because someone meets the criteria for (mostly) fitting the stereo type for one particular group – then “boom” – that’s what you are…because you fit “mostly” or a sociologist or psychologist has done a study based on (norms and standards)…and made projections based on a usually a very small (study) of that particular population or a statistical analysis.
Country boys vs. City boys. Country girls vs. City girls. North vs. South. East vs. West. Private school vs. Public School. Home schooling or Public Education (or) even down to chivalry and good manners vs. Sexism… (and) the list goes on and on and on…
Truth of the matter is – unless you know someone (personally) and know them (well) - you can’t speak with any authority whatsoever about “who” they are or “what” they are – or even “how” they behave or treat other people.
Some of these topics will be debated until the end of time – because everyone has an opinion – its why there was a war between the north and the south – and a woman’s movement – and on and on. But the truth of that matter is – you can be a country boy – without being a dumb country hick who has a wad of chew in one side of your mouth – a greasy chicken leg in one hand and a beer in the other – sitting on your front porch with a confederate flag as a decoration and a bloodhound and a shot gun lying next to the tree stump you are sitting on – that happens to be next to the club you keep – to (keep) your woman in (line and in the kitchen’) – fryin’ up more chicken for when the “boys” come over later to go down to creek to go fishin’ …and when you get back to sit around the table – with the oil lamp burnin’ makin’ duck calls and figurin’ out how to get yer moonshine from the still without getting’ caught by (the law) … (OK maybe that’s an exaggeration) –
However - on the other hand – not all country boy’s - look like some golden god that just stepped off a John Deere tractor with a perfect golden tan, ripped muscles and a six pack of abs with the latest vogue model standing there in a little black dress – hair blowing in the wind - with a dripping glass of cold “sweet ice tea” waitin’ for (her man) either (again – an exaggeration) ….
Truth is – being from the country - (male or female) means you grew up – partially (yes) with a different set of values than someone from the (north) – but NOT always….and it has been that way since there was a (north and a south) … and will continue to be that way … and people from the (south) have their stereo-typical views of (northern city boys as well) – I’m all too aware – it’s not a one way street…
But beyond any of that we are all (individuals) and should be painted with an (individual) paint brush – not one across the board. Not all women are feminists and that’s okay. Not all men who open a car door for a woman are sexist. – Not all southern Country boys – are dumb country hicks – and just because we have an accent doesn’t mean we aren’t educated past the 8th grade… and not all (northern city boys) are spoiled rich jack asses…who went to boarding school and grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth.
Where we are (from) is simply that. Where we are from. It doesn’t make one better (or) worse than the other – and it doesn’t make us (more or less) superior in education or manners or anything else – our individual lives are what we make of them...
Me? Yes. I’m a country boy – born and breed in the south (so to speak). I grew up in and on the traditional southern family farm life – (not stereotypical) but (traditional). I have a family that loved me and still does unconditionally and wanted nothing but the best for me – I’ve not had an easy life – (nor) have a lot of people – (every single person I know) has a cross to bear of some kind. I was taught (yes) manners and courtesy (to all) by my grandfather and father – as well as my grandmother and mother - and hopefully a lot about love – and yes, true to that southern phrase - I (actually) do love: God, Country, my mother and apple pie (Dutch apple pie to be exact) – and I love the (woman) I love so deeply and richly – that (that) love knows no bounds (and I mean- none) – north or south – east or west.
I grew up with the knowledge that you had to not only have common sense but yes, an education beyond the 8th grade to go forward in life…and so, I did – I worked hard – received an education and training in many areas – which has enabled me to travel and do things that some will never have the opportunity – to places that probably would not be desirable to some – but they were places and people that needed help – and I had knowledge and willingness to do so – so I did.
I still work hard – I live a pretty simple life (by choice) …I live. I work. I love. I laugh. I play and I love some more. I have every day concerns like every one – will my job be downsized – can I take care of the woman I love and my family – do I buy a new truck or keep the old one – and save that money … finances. Savings. Where to live. How to live….Choices. Just because I have a slow southern drawl – doesn’t mean I think “less” or have “less” or know "less" – or that my values are better (or) worse – they are just “different” and that is what makes this country a great country – because we can all have an opinion and voice it – but we don’t have the right to judge – or “lump” every one into a category because of pre-conceived ideas or notions…you can only have a (
valid) opinion about an individual if you “truly” know that individual.
Because while I might talk “with a slow southern drawl” and drink a good glass of bourbon and have a rip in my Levi’s and wear boots – I like to think I’m at least fairly educated (or at least the student loans I still pay tell me I am), well read – and I can sit on the front porch and hold my own on a debate on just about any topic you want to name – all the while whittling on an ole piece of cork to put in the moonshine.
… (just sayin’) …
Oh – and the moonshine (apple pie) is the best with that too! ! lol!