Opinion

Want to help Trump? Keep up the ‘White rural rage’ stereotyping.

Nicholas F. Jacobs is an assistant professor of government at Colby College, where Daniel M. Shea is a professor of government. They are the authors of “The Rural Voter.” This op-ed was adapted from an article in UnHerd.

A good American progressive is meant to disapprove of disparaging political stereotypes. But that hasn’t stopped many from gleefully embracing the caricature of the enraged rural American. You know the tropes; they’re the last ones you can utter in respectable conversation: “white trash,” “redneck,” “hillbilly,” all them ignorant belligerents in stark raving anger ready to storm the Capitol.