Editorial
The Relevance of Honey Boo Boo
According to Page & Jacobs in their 2009 book, Class War: What Americans Really Thing About Economic Inequality, Americans do not trust the government and believe that it is possible to start out poor, work hard and become rich. This is the American Dream, at its core and everyone here – black, white, rich or poor – believes it from the bottom of their hearts.
But again, no other group of people is considered as fiercely demanding of their ‘freedom’ and their God given rights like the kind that are represented by Honey Boo Boo’s people. These are the same people Obama referred to in 2008 when he was criticized for condescendingly referring to them as ‘bitter’ and ‘cling[ing] to guns or religion, or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them.’ or anti-immigrant sentiment, or, you know, anti-trade sentiment [as] a way to explain their frustrations.’
As Obama correctly put it, most of America’s past administrations have have not regenerated these communities and they continue to live in poverty. Most of them are actually bitter, they hang on to their guns and they are also incredibly religious. Honey Boo Boo’s family may not necessarily be like this – but they are right there in the middle of a community that might be like this. And most of them may not necessarily see ‘eye to eye’ with Obama and the Democratic party.
Honey Boo Boo could be the start of a return of the South to the Democratic party. Or maybe, this is exactly what reality television does to a person’s brain.
Dennis Matanda
Editor – [email protected]
