I come from a small town in Kentucky, and in a lot of ways I fit the stereotype of a typical Kentuckian. I love to fish, camp, and ride through the mud on a 4-wheeler. I’m also a force to be reckoned with in an old, fast car. I like bonfires and love beer, and at least a quarter of my wardrobe is camo. I’m far more comfortable in coveralls and Muck boots than I’ll ever be in a pair of heels. I’m also a liberal.
I’ve never really had the urge to up and move away. The south is my home, and for many reasons I love it here. It’s beautiful and quiet and can be a great place to find peace. My family is here and you just can’t find this type of close-knit community in a big city. I live for a warm Kentucky summer. Saturday nights at the drag strip is where my heart belongs. I grew up like most kids around here. Surrounded by farms and taught the value of hard work.
I don’t have a big, spectacular story about how I came to be a liberal. No epiphany, no awe-inspiring moments, no sudden trauma that made me realize the error of my ways. I’ve always been like this. Even before I understood politics I knew that I wasn’t like most people around here. At 12 years old my opinions were starkly different than those around me.
For most of my childhood I was raised in the Baptist church. I would sit and listen to the conversations as the congregation would disperse and wonder what brought these people to think this way. I was often surprised at the hatefulness they harbored. I knew that I never wanted to be that way. It wasn’t even a decision for me; it was far simpler than that. The liberal way of life was the only thing that ever made sense to me. The rest is history.
“I am allowed to love mud bogs while still supporting basic human rights for everyone.”
I believe in equality. I’m a proud advocate for women’s rights. I support refugees and LGBTQ rights. The thought of travel bans breaks my heart, and disgust is a nice word when it comes to my opinion on Mr. 45th. I participated in the Women’s March and I’ll support Planned Parenthood until the day I die. That doesn’t mean I’m any less proud of my southern heritage, I just happen to be both.
I am allowed to love mud bogs while still supporting basic human rights for everyone. It’s okay for me to enjoy fishing and camping, while still remaining concerned about our fragile environment. I can wear camo coveralls and a ball cap while still fighting for my right to make my own choices concerning my own body. It is possible to be southern and liberal and proud of both.
I often find myself being misjudged on one end of the spectrum or the other. When someone hears that I’m an unyielding liberal, they often assume that I hate where I come from. How could I possibly be comfortable in the south when my views are so extremely different from the majority? Likewise, when people hear I’m from the south they conclude that I’m politically aligned with the popular opinion: I love Trump, and hate food stamps and minorities.
The fact of the matter is, while I can fit into both stereotypes at first glance, I don’t unanimously and 100% fit into either one. Yes, I look like a southerner. I own two trucks, I fish— a lot. I race on the weekends and can most likely outdrive you in anything with four wheels. “Ya’ll” and “ain’t” are a large part of my vocabulary and I can’t pronounce the word “boil” correctly to save my soul. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t support you. That doesn’t mean that I don’t care about your rights. That doesn’t mean that I don’t understand my privilege and that I won’t work myself to death trying to right the wrongs in society.
The writer’s car.
Even when I’m decked out in a fire suit and helmet, or head to toe in camo, I want nothing more than to see you live happily ever after with the love of your life; no matter who that may be. Even with a truck bed full of fishing poles, I will defend a woman’s right to safe and affordable healthcare, and her right to do with her own body as she sees fit. Even when my words may sound a little funny to you, I still care about you. Please, do not automatically assume that my heritage means that I’m not on your side.
I am proud of where I come from and I am proud of my beliefs. I will always be from the south. No matter how far I roam, my roots will always be here, and I’m okay with that. But no matter where I’m from, or the popular belief of those around me, I will always be a liberal. Give me a chance before you judge me on my boots. Even if it looks like a duck and walks and talks like a duck, that doesn’t mean it’s always a duck.
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Andrea is a freelance writer based out of Kentucky. She is the mother to a 3 year old little girl and step-mother to a 6 year old boy. She’s been married to her husband and best friend for 5 years. She enjoys fishing, camping, hiking and the occasional glass of wine by a bonfire.