The South, People!
I’m in it. It’s different.
I’ve been going to the South to perform for a long time. I am always apprehensive before I go because of assumptions about the people and politics and religiosity of the region. Back before I had any name recognition I was afraid of how my material would go over or if I was even safe. As I’ve built my audience, I know that most of the people at the show know what they are getting into. It’s easier but still a bit frightening for different reasons and still does not feel entirely safe.
In the past, I would leave thinking I was being judgmental and the people I would encounter in passing were all generally good people. Nice. Obviously, my audiences are nice people, or at least, fans of mine. Also, the people I would encounter at businesses or restaurants or working at convenience stores were generally pleasant as well.
I’m not sure what has changed but I’m still willing to bet it’s me. The things that were different were political or cultural ideas. In the past that wasn’t at the forefront of passing conversations and there was a willingness to accept others. Even if we had different ideas or beliefs. I’m not sure that is there anymore. I may be projecting or I may just be living in the real division between Americans and it made me feel awkward or alien or like an outsider. It's fair to say there are people I encountered in passing who are responsible for what is happening in the country, which is terrifying.
So, I felt that. Again, I don’t know how much is in my head but I can read the news and know that the effects of their choices are real and brutal.
The audiences have been amazing. All of them. Asheville, Louisville, Nashville and Lexington. Actually, as I write this, I haven’t done the Louisville show. So, I’ll get back to you on that. I have had some of the best shows of my life in Nashville though. I think because people who live in these blue dot cities have to deal with the divisiveness day-to-day in their state governments and it's much more real to them and has been for a long time. Also, the fear of even your neighbors at this point in terms of speaking your mind must be paralyzing. So, to be in a room of like minded people trying to have a laugh and realize you’re not crazy must be good. I’m trying to do that for them.
I do like the country down here. It’s beautiful. The drive from Asheville to Nashville is stunning. I did experience something I had never experienced before. I went to a Buc-ee's. It is the Walmart of truck stops. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. You walk in and it’s huge. There’s all the stuff that you see at other truck stops, just much more of it. At truck stops down here you can find some jerky and maybe a fun Jesus shirt but at Buc-ee's there’s an entire wall of jerky and a full boutique of faith based clothing and tchotchkes.
And, sadly, standing in front of a wall of jerky with the racks of Jesus shirts behind you is not a unifying moment for me. It was daunting and a bit off-putting. Look, I appreciate cured meat and the story of the savior but there’s something about the time we are living in where I think, ‘Is it all going to be this eventually?’ Jerky and Jesus. Oh, and brisket, which crosses all ideological lines.
Again, I don’t want to be a hater so I’ll just count myself among the frightened trying to make their way through with some dignity.
Today I talk to actress Carrie Coon. She’s a firecracker. On Thursday I talk to Chris Hayes. We talk specifically about his new book The Sirens' Call, about the impact of technology and social media on our minds. Great stuff.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
