Isn't it amazing that all the bigots and racists live in West Virginia?

[theHandpuppet]

Or maybe not...

http://www.partnersagainsthate.org/hate_response_database/statistics.html

California
Population, 2006 estimate 36,457,549
State Profile
In CA, there were a total of 1393 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 678 were racial bias motivated; 205 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 264; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 242; disability bias was connected with 4; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Virginia
2006 population estimate 7,642,884
State Profile
In VA, there were a total of 308 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 192 were racial bias motivated; 44 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 38; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 31; disability bias was connected with 2; and the remaining 1 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Maryland
Population, 2006 estimate 5,615,727
State Profile
In MD, there were a total of 245 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 150 were racial bias motivated; 57 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 19; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 19; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Illinois
Population, 2006 estimate 12,831,970
State Profile
In IL, there were a total of 187 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 109 were racial bias motivated; 22 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 35; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 21; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Washington
Population, 2006 estimate 6,395,798
State Profile
In WA, there were a total of 176 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 104 were racial bias motivated; 16 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 31; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 24; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 1 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Oregon
2006 population estimate 3,700,758
State Profile
In OR, there were a total of 155 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 70 were racial bias motivated; 18 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 32; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 35; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

South Carolina
Population, 2006 estimate 4,321,249
State Profile
In SC, there were a total of 105 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 53 were racial bias motivated; 11 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 18; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 7; disability bias was connected with 16; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Pennsylvania
Population, 2006 estimate 12,440,621
State Profile
In PA, there were a total of 105 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 70 were racial bias motivated; 13 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 18; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 4; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Nevada
Population, 2006 estimate 2,495,529
State Profile
In NV, there were a total of 81 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 42 were racial bias motivated; 15 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 10; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 14; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Maine
Population, 2006 estimate 1,321,574
State Profile
In ME, there were a total of 68 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 24 were racial bias motivated; 7 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 35; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 2; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

North Carolina
Population, 2006 estimate 8,856,505
State Profile
In NC, there were a total of 66 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 46 were racial bias motivated; 5 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 10; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 5; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Montana
Population, 2006 estimate 944,632
State Profile
In MT, there were a total of 56 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 31 were racial bias motivated; 8 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 7; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 3; disability bias was connected with 7; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

New Hampshire
Population, 2006 estimate 1,314,895
State Profile
In NH, there were a total of 48 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 22 were racial bias motivated; 7 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 15; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 4; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

West Virginia
Population, 2006 estimate 1,818,470
State Profile
In WV, there were a total of 31 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 23 were racial bias motivated; 2 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 5; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 1; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Vermont
Population, 2006 estimate 623,908
State Profile
In VT, there were a total of 28 bias-motivated criminal incidents reported for 2004. Of the incidents, 13 were racial bias motivated; 5 were religious bias motivated; sexual orientation bias accounted for 5; ethnicity/national origin bias was the cause of 5; disability bias was connected with 0; and the remaining 0 incidents were the result of multiple biases.

Yes, perhaps politics in Appalachia is a bit more complex than some of you would care to address or explore.

[thunder rising]

1. WV has the unique characteristic of being VERY white so that other factors are eliminated.

I grew up in the south (Alabama) I know what they are about.

[theHandpuppet]

14. These statistics cover ALL hate crimes

And not just ones which are racially motivated.

Do you mean to tell me there is a greater black population in WV than in Montana? Maine? New Hampshire?

Yes, I know what bigotry and hatred are about. When my partner and I moved to small town Virginia, within a week the KKK paid us a visit in the middle of the night and left a "welcome letter" on our doorstep, just to remind us they were around. When the Commonwealth of Virginia, which Obama won, enacted some of the most gay-hating laws in the country, my partner and I lost our joint health benefits, which was crucial to us as I have MS and cannot get health insurance on my own. And at my partner's former place of employment (she is of Hispanic heritage), when the lunchroom conversation turned to what various employees had planned for their vacations, her boss asked her if she would be spending her time picking fruit.

Oh yes, we know what hate is. And West Virginia isn't the only place you'll find it, not by a long shot.

We now live in WV and for the eight years or so that we've been here we've not encounted the least amount of hostility -- quite the opposite. We live in a very blue collar neighborhood with people of all ethnic, political and religious backgrounds, not to mention a number of gay couples.

There isn't ANY place in this country that isn't tainted by many forms of bigotry and what shapes the political landscape can be much more complex than attributing its complexity to stereotyping -- which in itself is a form of bigotry.

I was raised in Appalchian Ohio; my father was from Pike County, Kentucky (and all his kin, to a man, fought with the 39th KY, USA during the Civil War) and my mother, who grew up in poverty as the daughter of Scots-German Jewish parents in a rustbelt Ohio River town.

Oh yes, I know what bigotry and hate are. As an Appalachian and lifelong, dedicated Democrat, I've been experiencing it right here on DU.

[gateley]

2. It's heartbreaking, but they're everywhere.

People are so frightened by those who they perceive as being so different. :cry:

[sandnsea]

3. Nobody said all the bigots in the county live in WV

but why deny racism when people point blank say "I won't vote for a black man". That makes no sense.

Yes there are other disconnects between Appalachia, white working men, and liberals. But race is absolutely a part of it.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandnsea]

11. Yeah Hillary's a real Appalachian Queen

:eyes:

Sure, there's a hierarchy of intolerance - but the black man is at the bottom.

[theHandpuppet]

16. Self-delete

With my apologies.

[Boz]

20. Excuse me? Your off base,I was talking about why people have been wrongfully accused of being racist

I said they are protectionist, do you understand what that is?

It was not bigotry and it isn't about each individual, but it is about a regional reality.

So feel free to explain why my DEFENDING the region from the broadstroke racist brush was bigotry.

[theHandpuppet]

My apologies

I read your post several times before replying but obviously misinterpreted what you were saying. I will delete the offending post straightaway.

[Boz]

30. It is a lesson in how one word can change a whole concept, I too apologize

In review I understand the confusion and it is the missing word change after HATE in the title, it was dropped for size because I thought it was implied but I see how it added to the confusion.

My point was protectionist HATE change and anything and any mechanism like racism may be completely out of their realm of belief or understanding.

They wont accept that they are racist if you accuse them because they arent racist. it isn't because it is a black guy it is because its a different guy, I know that is kind of splitting hairs, but it is why the racist flag doesnt fit the Appalachian Bubble and why they voted for Hillary in much larger numbers.

They move to change MUCH MUCH slower on things like change.

Thats why there a are a lot of places in the Appalachian Bubble that you can drive into the past to a downhomey wonderful stuck in the 30s americana.

[theHandpuppet]

31. Are you speaking of xenophobia vs racism?

If so, I could certainly see that as a legitimate argument. There are very real, historic and geographic factors that play into that, especially in Appalachia. It's a truly complex subject but as I've found out, trying to explain them hasn't been received with much interest on DU. LOL! Perhaps it's only a subject that interests me. I could go on for hours.

I agree that change in Appalachia comes very slowly. From the voters with whom I talked and who were quite open and honest about their feelings, most of those voting for Hillary were doing so for the familiarity factor. It's hard to explain to people who don't live here, but it's a culture where the familiar is SO important. Even those who said they personally didn't LIKE Hillary also said they were voting for her because they felt as if they knew her and were nostalgic for the days when the name Clinton meant jobs, no debt, and no war-- and knowing a person here equals trust. They felt like Obama was a stranger to them. An outsider with no record in their lives and who only wanted their votes. Well they've been down that sad road too many times with others and once bitten, twice shy, as the saying goes.

I feel Obama only exacerbated the level of distrust by not campaigning in West Virginia. What's criticial is that he must realize how many here felt about being "snubbed" or deemed so unimportant that he needn't bother. There was a good deal of anger about that, at least among the people with whom I spoke. The bottom line is, this campaign must be about people first, not just delegate counts. Is the strategy to now send in some proxy like John Edwards to convince those folks he does care after all? That will take a lot of convincing now. They KNOW John. The man and candidate they don't know is Barack.

[theHandpuppet]

29. Oh I'm not denying racism

It's here all right. But I do protest those who would paint all West Virginians or Appalchians with the broad brush of bigotry and racism. it simply isn't so. And some of the many threads of late which have ridiculed Appalchian people have been downright shameful... as if parading one's own bigotry to illustrate someone else's makes any sense whatsoever.

[AllentownJake]

4. Don't take this the wrong way

I suspect alot of the racial incidents also have hispanics and Indian/Arabic American included. Indians and Arab Americans have been attacked more since 9/11

[woolldog]

7. Yes. And there's some brown/black violence in southern california as well.

The OP is just raising a straw man argument. No one said what he says people are saying about WV.

It happens to be one of the most racist states in the country. Doesn't mean everyone there is like that, or that no one outside of that state is like that.

[Crazy Dave]

6. Amazing that all the "lower educated voters" live there too

I got so disgusted hearing that :puke:

[woolldog]

10. It's true

The % of population that has graduated from high school there is one of the lowest in the country.

[Zynx]

23. So are South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi. What's your point?

Let's stop knocking on states for once.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. If all you know is what you read from BO supporters on DU, that's what you conclude.

An entire State thrown under the BO bandwagon as "racists"...

[Moochy]

9. DUDE you Pwned that Straw Man you just setup!

Kudos!

[theHandpuppet]

18. I am not a Dude

But thanks for the insightful discourse.

[Moochy]

25. Anytime, Oh and Thanks for the Display of Rhetorical Incompetence

Noone has claimed what you refuted.

[theHandpuppet]

28. Is there something you want to discuss?

Just wondering.

[Moochy]

33. Sure why do you use straw men for your argument?

Do you understand the definition, as it pertains to your OP?

on edit, re: positive discussion: I think your post 31 is closer to the truth, as xenophobia is probably at work more than flat out racism for the majority of people. One is the gateway drug that leads to the other though.

[theHandpuppet]

34. Sorry - my bad

I thought you actually wanted to engage in a discussion, not merely provide a critique on the merits (or lack thereof) of my debating skills. Thanks for stopping by, though.

Oh, and as to the OP? Got your attention, didn't it. Since sensationalist subject headers and straw man arguments seem to be such a proven way to draw people here into a thread, no matter what its substance may be, I thought I'd give it a try. Seems to have worked -- at least you showed up.


:hi:

[Moochy]

35. Apology accepted

regarding the OP, sensationalist subject headers and straw man arguments are not honest tactics for discussion.

But what do I know I'm just talking to a sock puppet?

"Seems to have worked"

Thus my orignal kudos, dudette. :evilgrin:

[theHandpuppet]

36. You're very welcome

:evilgrin:

Oh, and I'm a puppet of the Shari Lewis-loving kind. I'm no one's puppet but my own... well, and maybe may partner's.

[theboss]

12. Again, WV is strange in that there is a racist element....that will never interact with black people

My father and I were discussing this over the weekend when I was back home. There were a lot of people we knew who were visibly uncomfortable with the idea of a black president. And we asked, "Why would any of these people be racist when none of them have ever lived near or worked with a black person?"

To be honest, you would have to go really out of your way in my home town to commit a hate crime. It would involve driving five miles to the one black neighborhood in the region and seeking someone out. I mean, you'd have to be, like, super racist to do that.

[theHandpuppet]

24. Where I live the percentage of black residents is about 12%

So it depends on where you live, I guess. My town is about 15,000 people. In most any state you'll find the rural areas are disproportionately white.

[theboss]

41. In WV? What town

There are only about six towns that big.

[theHandpuppet]

42. Sheesh, I hesistate to post all my information on a public forum

But I live in the Eastern Panhandle. Is that enough of a clue for you? :D

[MadAnne]

44. Right, in my hometown the black population

is 16%. Thanks for posting this. You're always the voice of reason and are armed with facts to back you up.

[NoodleyAppendage]

43. It is PRECISELY because they don't have the opportunity to interact that they are racist. n/t

J

[kitfalbo]

13. Yeah..

These stats don't mean much. Criminal incidents is not a great indicator of the general opinions of a group of local peoples.

[MagickMuffin]

15. Not ALL of them live in WV, they are scattered ALL across our country

:cry:

I live in Texas, and we have our fair share.

I'm sorry that so many people on DU, who make statements that ALL the people in WV are racists and bigots. They know it isn't true, and they should KNOW better. But what'ya gonna do. These are anonymous posters hiding behind their keyboards.

Just chalk it up to ignorance. Of course the exit polls in WV didn't help your state, when the people there proclaim their prejudices and bigotry. But I try to not make broad base accusations, because like I said they exist in ALL 50 states, and ALL across the world.

[theHandpuppet]

19. Thank you

I appreciate your kind words.

[gmudem]

17. I must have missed somebody sayinig all racists live in WV

But you sure did a lot of research to argue with a straw man, so I wouldn't want to deflate your argument.

[NoodleyAppendage]

21. FLAW IN YOUR LOGIC. West Virginia is about 96% White...less chance for racial encounters. n/t

J

[theHandpuppet]

26. We all have flaws

And Vermont's black population is 0.7%... Maine, 0.8%... Nevada, 0.5% Shall I go on? Or we could reverse your logic and say that you'd think those who live in states which, with a historically more diverse demographic, would have far FEWER hate crimes.

Hate and bigotry are everywhere and can take many forms. Just like bigotry against Appalachians, an irrational fear often based on stereotypes and lack of personal knowledge.

[Ichingcarpenter]

22. Worthless statistics without comparable variables

of population vs. race, sex, education, income, SMSA area, rural, religion etc.

It really doesn't say anything to prove any statistical relevant correlation of anything

[theHandpuppet]

27. Perhaps like many others I've read here

With one slight difference, of course. Had this been another Appalachia-hating thread full of worthless statistics and comparable variables, it would have had 60 recommendations by now.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[joeybee12]

37. But losing by 40 percentage points has gotta be a hate crime!

God forbid people might see that Obama could win these people over, cuz it ain't racism. It's desperation because they are poor and are looking for concrete answers, not flowery speeches.

[theHandpuppet]

38. Hope rings hollow for people who lost their hope a long time ago

What they do know is that during the Clinton years the country had gotten back on it feet again. While Barack Obama was passing over WV at 35,000 feet, Bill and Hillary Clinton were stumping the coal fields and back roads of WV, just like they did when Bill Clinton campaigned there in 1992. It meant a lot to them then and it did last Tuesday as well. When you're numb from despair, sometimes the familiar is what you cling to. And while Mr. Obama (or his staff) was tallying up the worth of these people with a calculator and a slide rule, Hillary and Bill rolled up their sleeves to remind those folks that they were not forgotten. That they had worth in their eyes. I simply cannot stress enough that I believe Obama made a huge blunder by not campaigning in WV and that snub may lead to even deeper resentment that will spill over into other parts of Appalachia.

I want to share with you a NYT article from 1992 as a comparison of both the similarities and differences between Bill Clinton's campaign in WV then and the non-existent one of Barack Obama. Perhaps those who read it will get a glimpse of how the Clintons earned that loyalty.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CEFD81030F93BA35756C0A964958260

(Excerpt)
West Virginia holds a Presidential primary on Tuesday. Governor Clinton attended a rally with hundreds of people at the National Guard Armory on Coonskin Road in Charleston, the state capital. Behind the stage was a huge American flag.

Warming up the crowd, Cecil E. Roberts, vice president of the United Mine Workers of America, compared George Bush to Herbert Hoover. "Hoover believed in the trickle-down theory of economics," Mr. Roberts shouted at the top of his lungs. "That didn't work in 1929, and it don't work today. That caused a Depression in 1929. Down here in the coal fields of West Virginia, there's a depression again, and we are sick of it."

Mr. Clinton was not the first choice of organized labor, but he won over the crowd Wednesday in West Virginia by emphasizing the parts of his platform that correspond to the old-time religion of the Democratic Party.

Mr. Clinton was introduced by Senator John D. Rockefeller 4th, who said: "I am probably not one of the world's leading experts on growing up poor, but Bill Clinton did. He's with us, folks. He understands us." MORE

Yes, West Virginia is a state of old voters, many of whose families have been there for over two centuries. It's old because their children leave in order to find jobs far from home, paying jobs that allow them to survive and feed their own families. Poverty rips their families apart. New folks don't move here -- young folks, folks of a more diverse demographic -- precisely because there so few jobs to be had and those few pay much too little.

So until someone gets serious about issues of poverty, health care, education and jobs, many folks are going to view with a jaundiced eye anyone telling them to fill their empty bellies with hope. But to convince them otherwise, first you have to show up.

[DemocratKR]

39. very nice post. no to elitism

[OzarkDem]

40. Great research, thanks

[Petrushka]

45. K & R

Bookmarked.




:hug: