Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right in Around the World in 80 Books

Feb 24, 2017 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: female-author, non-fiction, politics

Arlie Russell Hochschild is a sociologist from the liberal enclave of Berkeley. As the Tea Party gained momentum following Obama’s 2008 election victory, Hochschild wanted to more deeply understand the widening political gap in the United States, and in particular, rural, red state, Republican voters. Over the course of five years, she travels to Louisiana bayou country, meeting with people involved with the Tea Party and attending community events. She is initially puzzled by what she refers to Arlie Russell Hochschild is a sociologist from the liberal enclave of Berkeley. As the Tea Party gained momentum following Obama’s 2008 election victory, Hochschild wanted to more deeply understand the widening political gap in the United States, and in particular, rural, red state, Republican voters. Over the course of five years, she travels to Louisiana bayou country, meeting with people involved with the Tea Party and attending community events. She is initially puzzled by what she refers to as the Great Paradox: the idea that many people in red states continually vote against their own interests. Louisiana is one of the most polluted states in the country, has one of the lowest life expectancies in country, and generally scores low on many measures of health and human development. Yet voters continue to elect politicians that cut funding for education and health care and get rid of environmental regulations. Hochschild wanted to be able to cross what she refers to as an “empathy wall.” She wants to be able to see and feel reality from the perspective of some of the people she meets, not to agree with them, but to at least have some understanding of their perspective.

This book is incredibly thought-provoking, and the whole time I was reading it I had tons of thoughts and emotions swirling around in my head. Reading this during the first months of Trump’s presidency left me feeling lots of sadness, despair, and anger. It is really hard for me to write this review, because I have so many conflicting thoughts regarding it.

At times, I felt like I was able to cross the “empathy wall.” Hochschild interviewees talk a lot about the idea of being culturally marginalized and the “moralizing North.” They are continually on the wrong side of history and are being told how to feel, how to act, and who to feel sorry for. It is no longer okay to be a white, Christian man. In a lot of popular media, Southerners are portrayed as unintelligent rednecks or hillbillies, and it’s still socially acceptable to make fun of these groups. I’m not describing it well, but I do get this idea of the problems of the moralizing North.

Most of the time, I found crossing the empathy wall incredibly difficult, but this book really did make me think, and I would definitely recommend it. It didn't leave me feeling very hopeful about the future, but it did give me a greater sense of understanding, which is important. I could go on, but I think I should just leave it at that for now. ...more

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Jul 29, 2018 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Great book. Explores reasons why Louisiana is a red state being that it is one of the poorest states and so may people's livelihoods have been destroyed by industrial pollution. ...more

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Oct 03, 2018 Erica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, history

THIS IS the book to read if you want to understand the social terrain and extreme polarization in this country from the point of view of the white working class. I admire Arlie's determination in reaching out to people toward the right part of the political spectrum. Wonderfully crafted and researched, with 'fact-checking common impressions' nonetheless! ...more

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