Donald Trump sees the invisible people
I hope everyone that clicks on this thread will read the article below, though I fully realize that the mere mention of the name Leonard Pitts Jr. turns the stomach of many of us that contribute to these forums, due to the national voice he has that spews racial filth on a 24/7 basis. Today, Leonard Pitts Jr. looks to have made a grand slam homerun, considering his track record, with his article "Donald Trump sees the invisible people," but then even a blind will hog find an acorn on occasion.
I'd really appreciate your comments regarding the article, and in particular, answers to the following question at the end of the article that Pitts has asked: Why is he the only one who does?
Donald Trump sees the invisible people
Originally published August 28, 2016 at 3:03 am
His name doesn't even appear in the book.
But make no mistake. "Hillbilly Elegy," the new best-seller by J.D. Vance, is, in a very real sense, about Donald Trump. More to the point, it's about the people who have made his unlikely run for the presidency possible.
It is also, not coincidentally, a book about being invisible. Not H.G. Wells invisible, with objects seeming to float in midair. Rather, Ralph Ellison invisible, when you are right there in three dimensions, but somehow, unseen.
First and foremost, though, Vance's book is a memoir about growing up hardscrabble and white in clannish, insular communities in Kentucky and Ohio. It was a tough, unstable life. Vance was in and out of his mother's house - she was a drug user with a procession of boyfriends and husbands - and was raised mostly by his grandparents - "Papaw" and "Mamaw."
Mamaw was no June Cleaver. A gun-toting "lunatic" with a menthol cigarette forever dangling from her lips, she was rumored to have once almost killed a man who stole from her family. Her favorite descriptive term was the verb form of the f-word. But her love for her grandson was iron.
That grandson did a hitch in the Marines, went to college and law school at Yale. But he never lost a certain tough-minded pride of people and place.
"I may be white," writes Vance, now a Silicon Valley investment executive, "but I do not identify with the WASPs of the Northeast. Instead, I identify with the millions of working-class white Americans of Scots-Irish descent who have no college degree. To these folks, poverty is the family tradition - their ancestors were day laborers in the Southern slave economy, sharecroppers after that, coal miners after that, and machinists and mill workers during more recent times. Americans call them hillbillies, rednecks, or white trash. I call them neighbors, friends and family."
In other words, Vance's people are Trump's base. And the book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand Trump's appeal. "Hillbilly Elegy" is a compelling and compassionate portrait of a people politicians seldom address and media seldom reflect.
They love Trump because he sees them.
Yes, he's a racist clown who lies like bunnies copulate. Yes, he appeals to their lowest selves, to their hatreds and fears. But he sees them and speaks to them, something neither Democrats nor Republicans do. When you feel yourself forgotten, when work and hope have fled, when you live by a tough-minded pride of people and place, yet also by a whisper of embarrassment that your people and place are so often sick, unschooled and hungry, the simple fact of being seen and spoken to is powerful.
The one great flaw in Vance's book is a disingenuous near-silence on his kinsmen's attitudes about race. And a passage wherein he claims their antipathy toward Barack Obama has "nothing to do with skin color" but rather, with the fact that he is "brilliant, wealthy, and speaks like a constitutional law professor" is flat out intellectually dishonest.
Obama is hardly the first politician to be smart, rich and well-spoken. He is, however, the first to be hounded into producing his long-form birth certificate.
Still, that flaw does not outweigh Vance's triumph, which is to give substance and dimension to those America has made invisible. Democrats, Republicans and media struggling to comprehend the forces that have upended politics should be asking themselves a question. Donald Trump shattered the paradigm because he sees J.D. Vance's people.
Why is he the only one who does?
c 2016, The Miami HeraldLeonard Pitts Jr.'s column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. Email: lpitts@miamiherald.com
http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/donald-trump-trump-sees-the-invisible-people/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all
I'd really appreciate your comments regarding the article, and in particular, answers to the following question at the end of the article that Pitts has asked: Why is he the only one who does?
Donald Trump sees the invisible people
Originally published August 28, 2016 at 3:03 am
His name doesn't even appear in the book.
But make no mistake. "Hillbilly Elegy," the new best-seller by J.D. Vance, is, in a very real sense, about Donald Trump. More to the point, it's about the people who have made his unlikely run for the presidency possible.
It is also, not coincidentally, a book about being invisible. Not H.G. Wells invisible, with objects seeming to float in midair. Rather, Ralph Ellison invisible, when you are right there in three dimensions, but somehow, unseen.
First and foremost, though, Vance's book is a memoir about growing up hardscrabble and white in clannish, insular communities in Kentucky and Ohio. It was a tough, unstable life. Vance was in and out of his mother's house - she was a drug user with a procession of boyfriends and husbands - and was raised mostly by his grandparents - "Papaw" and "Mamaw."
Mamaw was no June Cleaver. A gun-toting "lunatic" with a menthol cigarette forever dangling from her lips, she was rumored to have once almost killed a man who stole from her family. Her favorite descriptive term was the verb form of the f-word. But her love for her grandson was iron.
That grandson did a hitch in the Marines, went to college and law school at Yale. But he never lost a certain tough-minded pride of people and place.
"I may be white," writes Vance, now a Silicon Valley investment executive, "but I do not identify with the WASPs of the Northeast. Instead, I identify with the millions of working-class white Americans of Scots-Irish descent who have no college degree. To these folks, poverty is the family tradition - their ancestors were day laborers in the Southern slave economy, sharecroppers after that, coal miners after that, and machinists and mill workers during more recent times. Americans call them hillbillies, rednecks, or white trash. I call them neighbors, friends and family."
In other words, Vance's people are Trump's base. And the book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand Trump's appeal. "Hillbilly Elegy" is a compelling and compassionate portrait of a people politicians seldom address and media seldom reflect.
They love Trump because he sees them.
Yes, he's a racist clown who lies like bunnies copulate. Yes, he appeals to their lowest selves, to their hatreds and fears. But he sees them and speaks to them, something neither Democrats nor Republicans do. When you feel yourself forgotten, when work and hope have fled, when you live by a tough-minded pride of people and place, yet also by a whisper of embarrassment that your people and place are so often sick, unschooled and hungry, the simple fact of being seen and spoken to is powerful.
The one great flaw in Vance's book is a disingenuous near-silence on his kinsmen's attitudes about race. And a passage wherein he claims their antipathy toward Barack Obama has "nothing to do with skin color" but rather, with the fact that he is "brilliant, wealthy, and speaks like a constitutional law professor" is flat out intellectually dishonest.
Obama is hardly the first politician to be smart, rich and well-spoken. He is, however, the first to be hounded into producing his long-form birth certificate.
Still, that flaw does not outweigh Vance's triumph, which is to give substance and dimension to those America has made invisible. Democrats, Republicans and media struggling to comprehend the forces that have upended politics should be asking themselves a question. Donald Trump shattered the paradigm because he sees J.D. Vance's people.
Why is he the only one who does?
c 2016, The Miami HeraldLeonard Pitts Jr.'s column appears regularly on editorial pages of The Times. Email: lpitts@miamiherald.com
http://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/donald-trump-trump-sees-the-invisible-people/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_all
0
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Just got done reading the book; opens up a lot of insights. An interesting tale of one young man's upbringing. Who knows if he speaks for a population segment or not.
KC0 -
Its very hard to be the "Invisible Man" in todays society. The transparency of the old world is gone. With the net and all the surveillance of big brother. Anyone with a credit card or facebook account is fair game.
The ones Donald Trump sees are the least of anyone's problems. It is good that someone has recognized the plight of the common man...0 -
Trump seems to be concentrating on a rarely recognized (by the Political Elite,) segment of the American Populace. The Pi**ed Off, and Alienated Average Person. People are absolutely Fed Up, with the Status Quo. It is time for a change. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by BoltactionMan
Just got done reading the book; opens up a lot of insights. An interesting tale of one young man's upbringing. Who knows if he speaks for a population segment or not.
KC
Thank you for the comments. Since I have not read the book, I would not know whether or not he speaks for a population segment either.
Clearly, though, the black community has been anything but invisible, on a daily basis I might add, since 1957 with the Little Rock event. That is 59 years ago. So, for 59 years they have been on the skyline of American politics and in the news like clockwork. During the majority of this time billions of dollars have gone to black communities...mostly the inner cities. But what has gone to poor white Americans, not only in the inner cities, but all throughout rural America...basically nothing in comparison. In my opinion, it is these poor white people, many of whom have lived out their lives and passed on without any special benefits to them or their communities...add their ancestors who lived in poverty for generation after generation since this country was formed, who are the real Invisible People, the very Americans that Pitts has written about in this article...poor white people. And, although some might not share Scotch-Irish heritage, it is this group of people whose values and beliefs permeates our society.
I believe it is these kind of people, and those who have known and worked their way out of poverty, that Trump appeals to most.
Thanks, again, for your comments.0 -
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by BoltactionMan
Just got done reading the book; opens up a lot of insights. An interesting tale of one young man's upbringing. Who knows if he speaks for a population segment or not.
KC
Thank you for the comments. Since I have not read the book, I would not know whether or not he speaks for a population segment either.
Clearly, though, the black community has been anything but invisible, on a daily basis I might add, since 1957 with the Little Rock event. That is 59 years ago. So, for 59 years they have been on the skyline of American politics and in the news like clockwork. During the majority of this time billions of dollars have gone to black communities...mostly the inner cities. But what has gone to poor white Americans, not only in the inner cities, but all throughout rural America...basically nothing in comparison. In my opinion, it is these poor white people, many of whom have lived out their lives and passed on without any special benefits to them or their communities. Add their ancestors who lived in poverty for generation after generation since this country was formed, who are the real Invisible People, the very Americans that Pitts has written about in this article...poor white people. And, although some might not share Scotch-Irish heritage, it is this group of people whose values and beliefs permeates our society.
I believe it is these kind of people that Trump appeals to most.
Thanks, again, for your comments.
I am of Scots-Irish, German descent. Although I have lived all over the World (with my Dad being Lifer Military.) My Mom's side of the Family is from NE TN.
No matter where we lived in the World, I spent most of my Summers in Appalachia, putting up hay, cutting tobacco, dealing with cattle etc. etc.
I have seen the "Invisible People," You speak of. I live amongst them. I elected to move back to this area 4 years ago, as I have always considered this Home.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by BoltactionMan
Just got done reading the book; opens up a lot of insights. An interesting tale of one young man's upbringing. Who knows if he speaks for a population segment or not.
KC
Thank you for the comments. Since I have not read the book, I would not know whether or not he speaks for a population segment either.
Clearly, though, the black community has been anything but invisible, on a daily basis I might add, since 1957 with the Little Rock event. That is 59 years ago. So, for 59 years they have been on the skyline of American politics and in the news like clockwork. During the majority of this time billions of dollars have gone to black communities...mostly the inner cities. But what has gone to poor white Americans, not only in the inner cities, but all throughout rural America...basically nothing in comparison. In my opinion, it is these poor white people, many of whom have lived out their lives and passed on without any special benefits to them or their communities. Add their ancestors who lived in poverty for generation after generation since this country was formed, who are the real Invisible People, the very Americans that Pitts has written about in this article...poor white people. And, although some might not share Scotch-Irish heritage, it is this group of people whose values and beliefs permeates our society.
I believe it is these kind of people that Trump appeals to most.
Thanks, again, for your comments.
I am of Scots-Irish, German descent. Although I have lived all over the World (with my Dad being Lifer Military.) My Mom's side of the Family is from NE TN.
No matter where we lived in the World, I spent most of my Summers in Appalachia, putting up hay, cutting tobacco, dealing with cattle etc. etc.
I have seen the "Invisible People," You speak of. I live amongst them. I elected to move back to this area 4 years ago, as I have always considered this Home.
You really do. You live right smack dab in the middle of them. It's a great place to call home, I'm sure.0 -
quote:Originally posted by us55840
There are far to many people who are "wards of the government" so to speak from the American Indian, negros, welfare mothers who keep having kids for a bigger check, sloths and layabouts on government assistants because they refuse to take responsibility for their own lives and their offspring. They support H Clinton.
They are the total opposite & far different from the ones' who make every effort to better their lives, work hard but remain on the bottom of the economic ladder...Trumps people.
That is my opinion.
I think that's a good opinion too. I was mostly focused on who the REAL invisible people are in this country in terms of race, and in particular, wealth.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
So, Barzillia?? Who (??) are You voting for?? Curious minds want to know. What is your Solution to this mess?? Expound please.0 -
Yeah Barzilla, what's your solution?
I've tossed my ideas in the ring and took the bashings, what say you?0 -
quote:Originally posted by us55840
There are far to many people who are "wards of the government" so to speak from the American Indian, They support H Clinton.
They are the total opposite & far different from the ones' who make every effort to better their lives, work hard but remain on the bottom of the economic ladder...Trumps people.
That is my opinion.
How about you EXPLAIN how people who are essentially Prisoners on the worst land the Great White Criminal in Washington could stash them on, and have every penny of income they can produce stolen from them by Government are getting a handout.
Also, please provide an accounting of the Indian Trust Funds held by the Filthy Feds. Make it easy, just account for all the timber sold to Japan on behalf of the Navajo over the last 20 years. I wouldn't want you straining to account for all the money that was "In the pipeline" headed for Reservations going back to Ronnie RayGun's Presidency.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?
https://www.you
Way beyond, extube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
Km
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
So, Barzillia?? Who (??) are You voting for?? Curious minds want to know. What is your Solution to this mess?? Expound please.
Vote your conscience.
Way beyond extremely vague Sir. What (??) Is your solution.?? Who does your conscious tell you to Vote for. Stand up to the plate Sir. "You Talk the Talk, do you Walk,the Walk?? Time to put up, or shut up. Respectfully.0 -
Yo Barzillia, where did You go?? Problem with expounding on your views?? What's up?? Inform us, as to your "Solution." Enquiring minds, want to know. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?
https://www.you
Way beyond, extube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
Km
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
So, Barzillia?? Who (??) are You voting for?? Curious minds want to know. What is your Solution to this mess?? Expound please.
Vote your conscience.
Way beyond extremely vague Sir. What (??) Is your solution.?? Who does your conscious tell you to Vote for. Stand up to the plate Sir. "You Talk the Talk, do you Walk,the Walk?? Time to put up, or shut up. Respectfully.
Who died and left you boss ?
Who are you to tell me what to post ?
I have given you the most thoughtful answer I can.
I sincerely doubt that I will be voting for either of the candidates now representing the republican or democrat parties.
I do not know whether they will still be in that position in two months. Neither do you.
The way it sits now, the state that I live in will go for Trump no matter what I do.
I do not feel obligated to ratify that decision, nor vote for the leading alternative.
I will vote my conscience.
Go play partisan politics with someone else.
[/quote
^^^^Angry Libtard^^^^^^ Liberals always answer with anger when cornered or do not have ground to stand on.0 -
There are no secrets about Trump. His life is an open book and always has been. Funny thing he was never a racist until he ran against Hillary. When he gave her money he was perfect. He just became a racist at the minute he won the republican primary. Strange how people can change instantly like that. I wonder how long it will take Dr. Carson to discover that Trump is a bigot now. Another one of his followers is Dr Kings Niece.
Wait till she finds out.0 -
Any Non Vote is a Vote For the Beast We Know How You Roll 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?
https://www.you
Way beyond, extube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
Km
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
So, Barzillia?? Who (??) are You voting for?? Curious minds want to know. What is your Solution to this mess?? Expound please.
Vote your conscience.
Way beyond extremely vague Sir. What (??) Is your solution.?? Who does your conscious tell you to Vote for. Stand up to the plate Sir. "You Talk the Talk, do you Walk,the Walk?? Time to put up, or shut up. Respectfully.
Who died and left you boss ?
Who are you to tell me what to post ?
I have given you the most thoughtful answer I can.
I sincerely doubt that I will be voting for either of the candidates now representing the republican or democrat parties.
I do not know whether they will still be in that position in two months. Neither do you.
The way it sits now, the state that I live in will go for Trump no matter what I do.
I do not feel obligated to ratify that decision, nor vote for the leading alternative.
I will vote my conscience.
Go play partisan politics with someone else.
Yeah, an adult, thought out, realistic reply. Thank You.
No one " Died and left me Boss."
You Post, as if, You have all the answers. I was merely trying to tap into your, vast range of Political knowledge. You have pretty much told me, all i need to know. Have a nice night.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jerrywh818
There are no secrets about Trump. His life is an open book and always has been. Funny thing he was never a racist until he ran against Hillary. When he gave her money he was perfect. He just became a racist at the minute he won the republican primary. Strange how people can change instantly like that. I wonder how long it will take Dr. Carson to discover that Trump is a bigot now. Another one of his followers is Dr Kings Niece.
Wait till she finds out.
I doubt that anyone in their right mind would believe that Pitts' description of Trump as a racist is anything other than like propaganda.0 -
That's true. No one really speaks for poor white folks. No one really cares about them. They don't fit the agendas... 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
You seem to be trying to say something here, any chance you could articulate it for me/us?
[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by mag00
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
You seem to be trying to say something here, any chance you could articulate it for me/us?
[;)]
Take it line by line.
I'm not trying to tell you what to think.
You are free to come to your own conclusions.
You're just going to keep dancing that dance eh? Whole lot of opinions, but not yours.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Is English a second language for you ?
[?]
If you don't want to talk to me, it's fine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mag00
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
quote:Originally posted by mag00
quote:Originally posted by Barzillia
Does he ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNUyTVWZUZU
I really doubt that.
I guess it depends upon what you think "sees" means.
You seem to be trying to say something here, any chance you could articulate it for me/us?
[;)]
Take it line by line.
I'm not trying to tell you what to think.
You are free to come to your own conclusions.
You're just going to keep dancing that dance eh? Whole lot of opinions, but not yours.
That is all barz ever does is be vague, deflect and avoid when questioned. Don't expect to get clear answers. He thinks he comes off as sounding smart that way. At least that is all I can gather as a motivation.0 -
Frankly, James, I am getting rather tired of the line that all of Trumps supporters are uneducated fools. This article and the book it describes do nothing but further perpetuate that stereotype. Furthermore, I fail to see how Trump is at all racist, and further trying to link him to that class of citizen does nothing but prop up another easily toppled argument of the left.[xx(] 0
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