Once upon a time, in the age of dinosaurs, the Gulf Coast was considerably inland from now.
That long-ago coastline has rich, fertile soil that allowed plantations to thrive, and was the epicenter of slavery, which is why so many Black voters live along that strip of land today.
That long-ago coastline has rich, fertile soil that allowed plantations to thrive, and was the epicenter of slavery, which is why so many Black voters live along that strip of land today.
The Black Belt, today, is one of the few remaining rural areas in the United States that consistently votes Democratic.
Other Democratic rural areas include the Rio Grande Valley (heavily Hispanic), Vermont (college towns), and Northern Alaska (mainly Native population).
Other Democratic rural areas include the Rio Grande Valley (heavily Hispanic), Vermont (college towns), and Northern Alaska (mainly Native population).
One of the big takeaways here: When you hear stories about Democrats losing rural areas, mostly what they mean is *white* rural areas.
Which emphasizes the fact that it's really driven by grievance politics, not any fundamental thing about rural life that's changing.
Which emphasizes the fact that it's really driven by grievance politics, not any fundamental thing about rural life that's changing.
