It has more to do with race and inner city residents as has been suggested here. Most of it is economic and there is some class struggle as well. lack of education might be a factor. resentment of outsiders is a big one. David vs Goliath syndrome perhaps.
I could write a book on this as I have had a life long experience with rural northern Wisconsin, north of HWY 29, North of 64, North of 8, and North of 2.....there are different levels
When I was a young man our very middle class family moved from very blue collar Green Bay to rural northern Wisconsin. We are whitebread and Green Bay is hardly inner city or even urban.
We were hated with a passion that upended our lives just because we were from down state and outsiders. We were threatened, followed, assaulted and beat up. Our home was vandalized. Our work place too (we harvested pulp). Our vehicles too were vandalized. our gardens, our tree stands. Someone shot 2 of our dogs. When hunting on public land we were confronted by groups of armed strangers. this occurred over 3 different counties north of 64.
We were a threat to nobody and learned to keep to ourselves and never travelled alone anywhere. we stayed away from places alcohol was served. we tried to assimilate but were harassed everywhere we went. there was no reason at all for this but we were from down state
My hands shake now even as I write these words.
it was hatred pure and simple. and like most hate it was based in ignorance and resentment.
Finally we were rescued. A priest who was well loved moved into the community and defended us. when people found out about my Dads history ( he was well known in his teens and from small rural community) they backed off. My 4 older brothers hit puberty, lifted weights and started beating the shit out of rednecks.
We ended up moving North of Hwy 8. People are nicer up there.
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