Dear Professor Kernion,
I consider myself to be one of those “bad rural people” that you brazenly claimed should be bashed for “making stupid life decisions.”
While I question the reasoning behind the vitriol in your now-famous tweet, I am no stranger to the phenomenon of “open mouth, insert foot.” I am betting that you very much regret the decision to push that out to the world, given the onslaught of backlash you are receiving. I am hoping that this misstep provides much needed time where you reflect and grow as a person. I don’t wish for you to be fired, to receive hate mail for the rest of your life, or for your head to be served up on a platter. You are human and make mistakes just like the rest of us.
However, a mistake you did make.
Think what you want about people who live in rural areas. I don’t really care what you and your friends think, nor do I have the energy to dispute you. It’s okay that you don’t agree with me. We don’t have to agree. Right here in rural America, my parents taught me to respect others, even when we don’t agree.
The message you put out to the world was one that said, “These people are different than me. They are stupid and deserve whatever bashing they get.”
Dangerous words, eh?
Americans don’t NEED any more reasons to hate each other. As a country divided over a number of issues, we need solidarity. Any rhetoric that displays an open invitation to hate others because of their views is something I can’t tolerate.
Shockingly enough, you didn’t call out rural folk for political views that oppose yours, which would likely land squarely in the conservative/liberal debate. You razed the entire rural American population, some of whom may not differ from you AT ALL, except for where they choose to LIVE.
Because I grew up here and happen to love it, you think I need to be bashed. Because I live rurally, you think I am stupid. Even though I am educated.
Because I live rurally, you think I deserve to have higher healthcare costs.
Because I live rurally, you think I need to be forced to move.
Because I live rurally, you think I need to live like you.
Because I live rurally, you think I do not deserve a comfortable life.
What are we coming to? Where did we get so off track? Has no one brought it to your attention that you would likely have a hard time eating in your “efficient city” without rural Americans? Has no one told you that it takes all kinds? That a large number of people actually prefer to live rurally because of quality of life?
In the end, no one is a winner here. I worry about young eyes that read your tweet or are now reading the numerous news releases on it. I worry about the comments that may have been said in your classes to students influencing their young brains to also have disdain for people whose views differ from theirs.
Yes, I took offense when I read your tweet and read many responses from angry rural Americans who spit the hate right back at you. I will admit those responses were a little fun to read as I let the hurt ebb and thought about a witty comeback.
At this point, I highly doubt you are following your twitter feed. Any response there would be purely a selfish venture on my part. A couple of people have published your email account and I imagine it’s overflowing with an abundance of awful messages that are in kind to your tweet, which only further the message of hate.
Right now, I am hoping that you have put on a hoodie and hat, exited the ever “efficient” city of Berkely and made your way to your parent’s house where you can find solace to lick your wounds, sleep, and try to forget. That they met you at the door to comfort you and lift you up. That they are reasonable people who are helping you see the error of your ways and that different from you does not innately mean “bad.”
It’s not really that hard for me to try and put myself in your shoes. To imagine how I might be feeling if I were you. What I might do in your situation. That, Jackson Kernion, is called empathy.
You should try it.
If we ever had a chance to have a civil conversation, we can probably find a lot of commonalities.
See, I too would go home if I were you right now. I’d seek solace and comfort and my parents would also meet me at the door to hug me, tell me I made a colossal mistake but that they still loved me. My parents are reasonable people, too. The only difference is, my parents’ house is in the country.
Love,
Stef
Stef what a great letter! Your words hit home! Yes I also live in rural America and so very proud of it!
I wonder if his view has changed since all of his negative press?
I grew up 14 miles from the nearest town and it only has 2500 people. I highly recommend a place where children can run and play and just be kids. Where people work hard all day and will still go to help their neighbors when their day is done. It’s an address I recommend to all…Fortieth and Plum…Forty miles from nowhere and plumb out in the sticks where people still respect each other.
Hi Linda,
I agree! We don’t live in the middle of nowhere right now but I wish we did! I think there is a lot to be said for being outside and interacting with nature. It is good for all of us and I feel so blessed that we live in an area where we are outside as much as possible!