Posted on 12/08/2005 9:31:47 AM PST by hiramknight
This attitude in New England pre-dates the large number of liberals that infest the place today. Taciturn, stoic, insular...all of these terms have been used to describe Yankees for a long, long time. New England is highly transient, way moreso than the rest of the country. It doesn't behoove a native to spend too much of one's energy on those who will be gone in a couple of years, and so we don't go to great lengths to get to know transients.
The couple in the story is a perfect example. I'd love to know what efforts they made to become part of the permanent community aside from going to work. Did they become members of a local church? Join a club? Coach a team? Doubt it. Plus, Raymond probably dissed the weather continually (a sign of weakness). In the two pages of the article I read, the weather was brought up as a factor for them moving out as much as "racism". Listen, you earn the right to diss the weather around here by actually living through it, not by experiencing it for the first time and complaining in a southern accent (no offense to my Southron brethren). Being cut off by another car and receiving the finger in Boston is a common as being served sweet tea in the South. Snicker - no chowder for you, crybaby!
These people are weak, and deserve to live in a gentler locale. There's no racism involved here. They are just to weak to live here, and got chewed up and spat due to their own naive expectations.
Growing up on Long Island, where school districts were selectively redlined/gerrymandered to ensure that blacks and whites went to separate schools, I can tell you that what is described here in Boston is the norm in most suburbs in the northeast. I have always found that white Catholics (who make up the bulk of the white population in NY and MA) have been the most uncomfortable with integration, so maybe its a cultural thing vis a vis the South.
Redistricting allows for Republican majorities.
Having grown up in Wisconsin, I have to agree with you on that.
In short, Knightdale is home in a way that Boston could not be. Which is not to say that the Johnsons never want to see the Hub again. ''We can't wait to go back and see our friends," says Raymond. Adds Idella, nodding vigorously: ''A good place to visit."
Chr*st J*s*s no! After an article like that please stay the F! away from New England! We're well-rid of you two whiners and your get.
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