I have read of many who turn off the media when vitriol and hate speech are sufficiently unsettling to warrant it. Not only is FOX news responsible for this, I suspect, though I have never been a viewer. In recent times, however, I find myself unable to listen to the men and women, primarily politicians, both on CSPAN and the news, who speak with southern accents.
The statistics do reveal that the GOP is almost exclusively a southern party, though my home state of Vermont has a long and honorable history of moderate Republicans, including our current governor who has chosen not to run for re-election. I did not vote for him, but have close friends who consider themselves democratic-leaning independents who did. Almost all of those who represent the GOP as elected officials, however, are from the South, and as I listen to those who oppose the president and those who oppose the changes I would like to see for our country, I find myself increasingly inclined to turn off whenever I hear Southern Accents.
This is sad because I have long revered Barbara Jordan and Molly Ivins and other Southerners. I suspect I need a crash course of hours listening to them and Jim Hightower. Who are the Democrats from the south other than James Clyburn who step up for the Democrats? Is there a need for more Southern Democrats to take a bigger role?
This is my first diary as I benefit more from the thinking and experience of others as a lurker than as a writer.
Still, should I worry? What does this mean for civil discourse and my ability to listen to others? Has anyone had a similar experience recently?