Funny thing about demographics- when they provide statistics and related information, it can also clue you in to the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of a population.
I was surprised, but should not have been, when I obtained some info from a nationwide news magazine: as far as this particular state is concerned, it's 1930.
My first thought: so that explains it.
1930- Before Civil Rights;
Before MLK;
When women were not considered people, and children were even less.
I've been all over the U.S., but never before did I encounter a population so suspicious of, and hostile toward, 'outsiders.' It's like the saying: even if your cat has kittens in the oven, they'll never be called biscuits.
I've been all over the U.S., but it is the most extreme example of a population clinging to their Old World ways- no matter how wrong or destructive those ways may be.
These days, in pop terminology, it'd be called living in the past; where I'm from, it'd be described as backward.
They refuse to acknowledge their old ways are not appropriate for the 21st century- and probably never were.
Racism? Races are expected to remain divided, and usually are; one of the most famous 'native sons' described himself in a magazine interview as a 'white supremacist;' and the state claims more KKK per capita than any other state in the USA- not even counting other Hate groups.
Women and children? Women and children are expected to be silent, obedient, and subservient; domestic abuse is said to be one of the top crimes; and every time you turn around there's another story in the news about a young child or baby injured or killed through child abuse. And to illustrate how extreme it is: an individual who had committed felony child abuse was running for a state office, claiming 'Real Family Values' as part of his platform.
And an additional Old World way: considering alcohol abuse to be an acceptable, commonplace part of everyday life- and this includes encouraging kids to begin drinking.
When I was in elementary school, we learned about 'the Melting Pot.' The idea was immigrants came to this country to become and be Americans. I'd stake a bet on it that some parts of the United States- including my current location- never even heard of this concept.
From what my father told me, I'm grateful I was not alive in 1930. And it's extremely difficult in a backward environment in 2016, too.
The proof is in the consequences- when abuse against women and children is commonplace, when there's a huge rate of Hate groups, and when alcoholism is said to be one of the top health issues in the state, 'They're doin' it wrong.'
Creepy, isn't it, that in the United States of America, twenty-first century, there are still places where human beings don't really count unless they're Male, White, and Over 21... and for the numerous places like this, it's time for some changes...
Yet, I've heard 'we don't need you * Outsiders coming in here...'
Maybe that's exactly what they do need.