The Elite vs. The Deplorables

We never hear comments like these made by the late President John F. Kennedy: “… the South is the land of Washington, who made our Nation – of Jefferson, who shaped its direction – and of Robert E. Lee who, after gallant failure, urged those who had followed him in bravery to reunite America in purpose and courage.”

For most of our nation’s two and a half century history, newspapers were the essential source of public opinion. Although newspapers expressed political preferences, regional newspapers did provide other sides of stories, as well as a variety of editorial opinions. But as the 1950s drew to a close, the public began getting its news from a few television networks. Reporters presenting the news in front of TV cameras in this newfangled medium achieved a certain celebrityhood with the viewing audience.

TV news personalities developed such an inflated sense of their own importance that they decided they knew what was best for our country. News began to be reported in the way that served their opinions and agendas, and their depictions of the South were not favorable. This also became the case with Hollywood and other parts of the entertainment field. In earlier years, Hollywood’s portrayals of the South were often favorable, even romanticized. But in the late 1950s, Hollywood got caught up in the “social change” trend that was griping elites. Films became politicized and characterizations of the Southern region were no longer complimentary.