I want to start by saying that this is not a political rant, however, this is a bit of a rant. And it is very loosely connected to the election.
I was enraged to read several posts and comments on social media about "dumb rednecks" voting in Trump as our next president. Let me repeat that: "dumb rednecks." Bare with me, cause here comes the rant...
I was born and raised on southern ground. Small town, bible belt, fully southern raised. My parents grew up in that town. My grandparents built their lives in that town. I am not, and never will be ashamed of where I come from: a town full of "rednecks."
But let me tell you something, I have never met a "dumb redneck" who could start in his early twenties mowing grass on a golf course and work his way up to being a knowledgeable mechanic and assistant superintendent of that same course. Who is a single dad who raised two girls and put them through private school. Who works day in and day out to provide a better life for his children.
I've never met a "dumb redneck" who spent every day of his adult life watching weather patterns and planting and raising crops. Day in and day out with his back to the sun. A man with business savvy with no college degree, but who could grow and sell his crops to support a wife and three children. To build a better life for the generations to come.
I've never met a "dumb redneck" who could spend long days pulling tobacco only to spend evenings cooking meals for her three children. Who worked her hands to the bone to support her husband and their business. Who had the rough hands of a farmer but the gentle touch of a grandmother and mom.
The south is built on these "rednecks" and these are the kinds of people you call "dumb" because they voted for someone they believed would fight for the working class. For the farmers.
This is my family. This is my heritage. And I would be proud to be called a redneck, although I have not earned the name. My family and so many families from the south have spent their lives working with their necks to the sun to provide a good life for their families. To see their children get the opportunities that they themselves did not have. See, redneck isn't derogatory to me. It shows hard work and perseverance. It's a legacy. It's the people that make up the small American towns where American pride is prevalent and being a neighbor means something.
So think twice before you judge us "dumb rednecks." Our country was built on the backs of those farmers and hard workers that foresaw a greater future for the generations to come.
God Bless this country and God Bless the South!
