Post #32548 by kahukini on Fri, May 2, 2003 11:54 AM

Boy, is that ever a generalization.

It's remarks like that that promote stereotypes, ethnic, gender or otherwise.

Leilani, there is nothing wrong with stereotypes, especially in politics. Remember political science class? Stereotyping - ie, statistical math, is the heart of political science.
The only things not generally appropriate in civil public discourse, the only thing out of bounds, is criticising aspects of people that they have no control over - such as their gender, race, and sexual orientation. Those things are out of bounds because even if there were some legitimate gripe about them (which there is no scientific evidence for) the criticism could do no good - it's just cruel, it's hate. On any day of the week you can choose a different religion (or no religion), a different political philosophy (or no politics) - these, and most every other thing uder the sun, are worth talking about, because they are totally modifiable aspects of ourselves. And most people would like to improve themselves.

Regarding the question about the Dixie Chick's music content - I think their fans were under the sincere belief that their music supports the conservative southern lifestyle, and it does sound like it. I think they believed the Dixie Chicks shared their religious politics (the central motivating force of southern Republican politics being distrust of the unknown) - and consequently felt betrayed, when people their money had made rich and sent off to L.A. actually liked L.A.