The DK community has discussed, analyzed, called out, and commented on many of the Republican talking points. The disregard for community organizers. The reveling in fear, hypocrisy and ignorance. The spin, the half-truths and outright lies. The love affair with drilling for oil. All the above are offensive to me, and to those in the progressive community. But I feel the need to talk about another Republican meme that disturbs me - the small town is best thing in the world and the big city is evil meme.
Republicans beat it like a steel drum - small towns are the heart of America, they are what count. The big cities - NY, DC, SF, Chicago, LA, Detroit, etc. - who cares about them? They are liberal full of sin and scary things such as minorities, homosexuals, and libraries full of books by corrupting authors such as Chaucer, Hemingway, and yes, Jon Stewart. That's where the liberal media are, looking down at you.
I'm frankly sick of these fools badmouthing the cities that I and many others love. I'm taking a stand for us city mice.
As a minority woman having lived her entire life either in or near some of our great cities, this dismissal and hatred of urban America baffles and angers me. The wonder and promise of America isn't solely owned by small town USA. It is reflected in the vibrancy of art and culture of museums, libraries, plays, and concerts. Skyscrapers, great works of art, buildings and parks stand as testament to American ingenuity. The teeming masses of different cultures, languages, and walks of life capture the essence of America as a country of immigrants, the mythic 'melting pot.'
It is part of what makes this country so unique and has attracted so many people from around the world (including my parents) and yes, from those small towns across this country.
Cities represent freedom. The freedom to be who you are, reach your potential, to meet others like and unlike you, to learn from them and grow. Yes, cities can be overwhelming, alienating places. But they are also welcoming, closely knit places where you can sit on your stoop and talk with your neighbors while your kids play. Where the local butcher knows exactly what you're going to order when you walk in the door. And yes, where community organizers will work with those who suffer and deserve equality, fairness and dignity and in the end, make it better for all Americans.
The world is so big and so wondrous, and our cities allow us a glimpse of the rest of the world. Their poverty and inequality humbles and shames us, putting human suffering front and center, compelling us to do something to help our fellow human beings. Cities reflect the range of human experience and possibility, from the best to the worst in us.
Now I realize why the Repubs love to denigrate the 'big city.' It energizes their base. It plays on fear of the unknown, the 'us vs. them' theme. And they say we're the elitist, alienating party. Projecting much? As best exemplified by the Democratic Convention, we are the party of inclusion, mutual respect, diversity and change. We reflect the way American life really is, and how it can and should be. We are the party of now and the future.
I am just so sick of them bashing me and the people and places I love that I had to say something.
Say it once, say it loud, I'm a city mouse and I'm proud!
UPDATE: I didn't mean to just focus on the largest cities - the mid- and small cities are included in my observations. The way Repubs talk, anything considered a city is a terrible thing.