First of all, I am a delight.
Second, everything I’m about to tell you is true.
Third, I contain multitudes…
“I am not blind to the shortcomings of our own people. I am not unaware that leaders betray, and sell out, and play false. But this knowledge does not outweigh the fact that my class, the working class, is exploited, driven, fought back with the weapon of starvation, with guns and with venal courts whenever they strike for conditions more human, more civilized for their children, and for their children’s children.” ~ Mother Jones
When you experience the life of the rural poor, there are many things that stick with you. Listing them all would take up more space and time than I have this morning, so I’ll do my best to condense them to a few main thoughts.
Grab a cup of whatever you enjoy, get comfy, and take a moment to ponder that not everything is about you.
We tried to tell you.
Truly, a lot of folks spoke about what they were seeing around them – only to be called kooky, weird, or placed into the box of “theory” believers.
When I was a young person my family had a small farm where we did our best to live as self-sustaining as possible. While both sides of my ancestry had ties to the land – well, one side wasn’t known until my 20s, which is a story for another day – my parents were not really set up for that lifestyle.
You see taking care of livestock, making sure critters didn’t eat your garden, and protecting your well is a full time job. It requires long days, hard work, and a lot of prayers. Along with that it means understanding your community and the beliefs of the people around you. Sadly, that is something that my parents never quite figure out.
Across from our home was a large field where a local farmer grew crops for the government. Out amongst the even rows were these signs that had numbers on them, with a logo from the company that provided the seeds and chemicals to grow them. The goal was high yields and capital dependent growth. Or, in more clear terms, none of it belonged to those who pushed the plows.
Throughout the year planes would spray all sorts of things to help growth and minimize pests. For the kids in the area it was a time to run out into the mists like we were getting baptized by the USDA itself. Once I heard the sound of those engines I would grab my flip flops and run into the torrent of wild smelling liquid like God itself was personally blessing me with a bountiful life.
Some of the farmers in the area noticed issue with their own gardens, as well as with their livestock. Then came the weird cough, skin growths, and funny tasting water. When they approached the local USDA office, they were told that all of it was absolutely safe, and not to worry. The thing is, as we know now, none of it was safe.
Any of the folks that persisted in getting answers were labelled as “theorists,” and that not trusting those in charge was “dangerous.” These were the very same people that were voted into offices that cared little about those they were representing. Then, after markets were flooded, crops failed, and a whole host of events that the old farmers could see coming, large corporations swooped in to buy family farms for pennies on the dollar.
“The crops we grew last summer weren’t enough to pay the loans
Couldn’t buy the seed to plant this spring and the farmers bank foreclosed
Called my old friend schepman up to auction off the land
He said john its just my job and I hope you understand
Hey calling it your job ol hoss sure dont make it right
But if you want me to Ill say a prayer for your soul tonight
And grandmas on the front porch swing with a
Bible in her hand Sometimes I hear her singing take me to the promised land
When you take away a mans dignity he cant work his fields and cows”
– John Mellencamp
Basket of “deplorables”
Y’all remember when this was stated out in the wild? Now you might want to see me as someone who is on one particular side or another, but please know that my heart sits firmly in that lovely passage seen in all the holy books about how one cannot serve two masters – as well as knowing that we are called (again this is true of all the world’s faith systems) to love others with all our heart. I mean in one book it says that all the other “laws” hang on loving the Divine and your neighbor in the same way.
But here’s the thing…
While that word was used for a specific group of folks, a lot of others heard it, too, and didn’t like how it made them feel. You see these people gave a lot of trust to those elected to speak for them, and did what they could to do the right thing. This doesn’t mean they were perfect, or were always kind, but more like these were the folks that mined the coal, grew the high yield crops, and keep the factories open – all while watching the land around them be eaten up by corporations that “promised riches beyond the dreams of avarice,” and being given pills to dull the soul.
While the Appalachian regions were paraded around like show ponies on national television, this was happening on other parts of the country (and world) as well. Do a little searching on things like the dust bowl days, or the Great Depression – that will give you a clue about life for the poor.
Or maybe watch all the parodies of those living a simple life – you know like when the Beverly Hillbillies (which is a word that was often used for immigrants coming from rural areas in other countries) struck gold, or when the whole “hee haw gang” played mountain music for the gentry.
Better yet, make a smear campaign about how those living in these areas were “uneducated,” or didn’t care about others, turning them into “those people.” Now the Ancestors tried to tell us about these things, especially those that didn’t look just like us, or come from the same family tree.
Not so long ago getting a sun tan meant you were poor, uneducated, and didn’t belong in polite society. Now people put themselves into casket like tubes to give an appearance of money and time to just lay around gathering up vitamin D.
But you know…when the loudest voice is screaming at us, we often forget that those doing it are either the most envious…or have the most to hide.
As some of you know, my life has been full of some pretty interesting moments – which I’ve tried very hard to put into the baskets of the Greek Chorus in hopes that they would grant me passage to the places that were never for me. At this point I’ve lost count of all the times that I’ve picked something up, only to toss it across the Universe. Declarations were made, and words were said – then I got scared. Not that, “Oh look at me, I’m being fickle” kind of fear, but the soul-stretching, mind-bending, and life-changing kind of fear.
Into this mix is that my life still had me in a bind that was hard to explain without creating more chaos in my own brain. I know that sounds enigmatic and a bit quirky, or whatever comes to your mind – but the truth is that it is difficult to put out fires when people keep throwing matches at you because you lacked the full knowing of good boundaries.
This is also me taking some huge personal responsibility for my wishy-washy nature during the past few years. I just kept doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results while also thinking that the folks I asked to listen to me were actually hearing what I said. Kind of gives a whole new meaning to when Jesus said, “Let those that have ears hear…”
I’ve spent a goodly time in my version of silent running (a naval term) laying low to avoid detection. This has given me quite a bit of time to fully look at the parts of myself that needed fixing, to call my power back, and to make sure no lose strings would leave me walking around with nothing on…
With that, I’m off to work on some creative projects.
Until next time – much love to all y’all,
KEU
* please note that my technology is home to myriad typo faeries who often enjoy leaving their mark upon my work. While it might make you think I don’t care to look smart, educated or professional, it is really me honoring the beauty of the wabi sabi nature of these delicate and delightful creatures. Also, cats often walk across my keyboard, making sure that I stay humble at all times.
Kim Upton 