A recent New York Times article describing experiences at a music festival last month gives some mixed impressions. I say “impressions” because the article offers no real revelations or clear conclusions. Instead, we get the oft-observed practice of an insular urban elitist making “discoveries” in the area, as well as confusing details as the concert-goers did not deliver the expected results.
Reporter Richard Fausset was present the two-day Rock The Country concert fest in South Carolina, one of seven stops featuring a lineup of mostly country music acts headlined by Kid Rock and Jason Aldean. Fausset toured the grounds, hung out with tailgaters and explored the backstage area. While he may not be quite in awe of the previously unexplored side of the South – as some reporters are, sounding like Dian Fossey entering the Gorilla Mist – he does show a hint of bewilderment.
Fausset is sometimes torn when describing a venue with guests who bombard him with contradictions. These are the kinds of strange discoveries that can only be made when you begin your search with a preconceived idea of what to expect, and you have the palpable feeling that, while he is describing perfectly plausible scenes, he seems to be out of balance in the mix.
He wants to give us an insight into “the MAGA movement in pure party mode”, although this is about music and not politics. That the music appeals to conservative people is beyond question, but it is not the driving energy. Fausset shows what he is made of by often presenting a paradox, as can be seen in his title; he speaks of “joy” and anger, “angry rebellion” and the “beer-drinking search for happiness”.
But he never delivers on that promise of displaying anger and rage. One concertgoer spoke of the need for a civil war. Dude. (This is easily outdone by an opening act in which the singer implored the crowd to reach out to those with political differences and deliver a message of peace.) Fausset also saw in the crowd a collection of T-shirts with, as he described it, politically incorrect slogans: “Taxes are gay”; “Ammosexual“; And “I choose CONVICTED FELON 2024“. (Enter my GASPING! → here.)
One has the feeling that this picture was the trigger for the @NYTimes on several levels. pic.twitter.com/WKNNDjM3kU
— LieAbleSources (@LieAbleSources) 13 August 2024
What is clear is that the Times article suggests that it makes no sense to them that people with different views on issues can still come together and have fun as a group. The undertone is that we should be at each other’s throats, and yet he saw differences without conflict. In the parking lot, he encountered people who were both pro-life and pro-choice. He witnessed religious expressions, beer drinking, and passion. Conservatives have long been “proud” to oppose drug apply, he says, and yet there was a busy cannabis tent and another selling mood-enhancing gummy bears. Richard sounds baffled that people right of center could know how to have fun.
It is clear that these obvious conflicts in the crowd were not expected. Not only was “The MAGA believersThey were expected to behave in a certain way, but the idea that people with different opinions could manage to not only get along with each other, but also get along and have fun – with each other – was confusing. But… but, you’re livid…!is the undertone that can be felt in this approach. How these people can have different views and still not be outraged is a mystery to Fausset.
This is my experience when I am with like-minded people. I can be with people who disagree on an issue and it is perfectly possible to debate our points of view and listen without feeling contempt. I can sit in the tavern and have a silent debate on an issue and even if no agreement is reached we still clink glasses. Outrage is not the norm among those on the right, that is my experience. Here is an anecdote:
One evening I was sitting outside at the Barrelhouse with others enjoying beer, cigars and laughing. One of our favorite waitresses had gotten off work and sat with us for a while. We got onto a topic and we were discussing it when she realized something.My goodness, are you ALL conservative????” We collectively shrugged; I guess so. She got up to leave as this result surprised us. She felt that since she was left-wing, to whatever extent, she was not welcome.
We were all stunned by this reaction. The consensus around the table was: So what?! It took a few moments, but we were able to tranquil her down and she came back to the table and I bought her a drink. You could tell she wasn’t expecting a tranquil, accepting reaction and it took her a while to accept this reality. I’ve seen this mindset play out over the years; every time I hear a story about a friendship broken up over politics, it’s invariably a leftist saying there’s no way they can tolerate a conservative/Republican/Trump supporter.
This is reflected in the words of Elvie Shane, the singer who spoke of seeking out our political differences.”If you love her, be the robust one – you call and say, “Hey, I know we disagree. But I love you anyway..'” I know that’s the mindset of many on the right. It surprises the New York Times and others in the press who have spent years insisting that they must despise each other and teaching their audiences how to be combative at the Thanksgiving table.
Richard Fausset seems genuinely surprised by the attitude and behavior of conservatives at this event. Look what happens when the media actually meets conservatives in person!
