Is there such a thing as a "White Suburban Leftist"?

[survivor999]

And does anyone know what it means? A colleague kept going on about how he considers himself one. I was too busy to argue with him.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. Well, I live in the 'burbs.

And I'm a lefty Caucasian. Maybe he means someone who supports liberal causes but lives a comfortable life.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. See Connecticut.

White suburban leftists dethroned prince joe. Why do you find the category unacceptible?

[cali]

27. Westport

has long been a bastion of white suburban leftists.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

3. A white Chevy

That pulls left?

[Mountainman]

4. Could be a white guy who lives in the suburbs and is not conservative

Maybe someone thinks living in the suburbs and being white makes you an automatic right winger. And maybe again I don't know what you really mean.

[survivor999]

11. I think he was offended that somebody

Told him he's a status quo guy because he has is house in the burbs, his SUV, and his 2.3 children... I suspect he does feel he sold out at some level and that's why he kept going on.

[etherealtruth]

24. I'm not understanding ...

One can't be progressive AND enjoy the "trappings" of success?

I think we have a good number of DU'ers that live in the suburbs, are employed in professions that provide wages placing them squarely in the middle or upper middle class and have 2-3 children.

If this man votes progressively, donates his money/time to progressives causes ... why isn't he progressive?

[Selatius]

26. Some people just don't like the fact others are wealthier than themselves

There's valid criticism, and then there's just searching for an excuse to justify one's anger or intolerance.

If you had 50,000,000 in the bank, it's not my issue, but for some, it is a big issue. My issue is if you followed the law to attain that money or if you broke it in attaining that money. For instance, were you running a ponzi scheme or some pyramid scheme to get that money? Did you break anti-trust laws? Did you dodge taxes? Did you take advantage of illegal tax shelters? Or engage in "questionable accounting practices"?

[survivor999]

28. I was just half listening to the heated discussion...

And I wasn't sure if the term was a standard label people use. Which is why I asked here since I'm not up to speed on the latest terminology. The guys she was talking to (males) are the "purist" types, who basically think everything in this society sucks and anybody who has any money and success is a criminal.

[Demobrat]

32. I think you nailed it.

I've seen the term used often by self-styled "radical lefties" to refer to those who vote Dem but are little too comfortable for their tastes. Seems lifing yourself out of poverty automatically makes you a sellout and a bad person. Oh well - I've been called a bad girl before ... and it didn't hurt at all! :-)

[etherealtruth]

38. That's my "take"

I think Republican "spin machines" have had some success convincing "middle America" that progressives are against them ... when in fact for a large part we are "them" (middle America, that is).

[misanthrope]

44. And some feel it's enough...

...to merely call themselves Christian while others hold by St. Francis' direction: "Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words."

[misanthrope]

43. Bingo!**nm

*

[ulysses]

52. help me out here.

I'm not worried about whether or not I'm status quo - I am in many ways - but I'm curious. I live in the Atlants suburbs, drive a 4-cyl. pickup, and I have one child. Do I pass?

[survivor999]

53. I think you pass

:)

[CJCRANE]

5. I've heard of a "champagne socialist"

but that's a new one to me.

[survivor999]

34. Champagne socialist?

Never heard of it before! :)

[Lisa]

55. I know a couple of those!

One came from a wealthy Florida family (one that used to own most of Duval County) -- she became a radical hippie during the 1960s, and was threatened with being kicked out by her parents if she didn't toe the line. She said, "Fine by me," and moved across the country with her dog, to start a new life. Eventually she put herself through medical school, after working multiple exhausting low-wage jobs. After her father died, her mother (who was much more liberal but afraid to say anything back then) got back in touch. By then, she didn't really need the economic support (since she had made her own career, plus getting used to living really frugally) -- but of course she was glad to be able to come back home for Christmas to see everyone. She was (and presumably still is) active in the peace movement, and a big-time Dem.

I also house-sit for a man who's from a real "blue-blood" aristocratic background ... he became a socialist in college (and since this was overseas, he narrowly escaped being rounded up and tortured by the regime). It was really dangerous -- he put his life on the line, being a leftist. He's a really charming guy ... not the least bit snobby ... lives in a tiny house where he does all the gardening, cooking, and car repairs himself.

The woman who's president of our local progressive organization is a partner in a contracting business. They made some smart real-estate buys decades ago, and one of the priciest neighborhoods in town sort of grew up around their place (which is big enough to host chapter gatherings). She does a lot of work for Habitat for Humanity.

[Selatius]

6. What are his views on social and economic issues?

Does he believe the government should regulate the private lives of people? What's his views on abortion, gay marriage, etc.?

What are his views on economic issues? Does he believe in a progressive tax code? Or a flat tax code? What's his views on the health care crisis? On renewable energy sources? Is he in favor of NAFTA? Does he even know what NAFTA is?

[survivor999]

40. What I think I know:

He is: pro-choice, pro gay marriage, against gun control, in favor of a more progressive tax code (more taxes from dividends, less from income; also, more taxes for the very wealthy), in favor of alternative sources of energy (but loves his SUV), in favor of NAFTA (otherwise we'd lose competitivity with the rest of the world), he's outraged at the health care crisis and would be OK with paying more for a fairer system.

i reconstructed this from bits I picked up over several lunches with other people as well. But it was the first time I heard him calling himself a WSL.

[Kutjara]

7. I think it's a similar species to the "champagne socialist".

That is, someone who intellectually agrees with many of the beliefs and principles of the Left, but not to the extent that it interferes with their lifestyle.

[CJCRANE]

13. I guess

it's possible to be a socialist and still live a "champagne lifestyle". You'd just have to pay higher taxes, believe in recycling, fuel efficiency etc.

[TheFarseer]

8. oddly enough

I've been noticing how GOP types are trying to make it out like upper-middleclass suburban types that roll around in Suburbans and go on fancy vacations and eat at nice restaurants are LIBERALS. There are a few people like that who are liberals, but this is about 90% not true. I'd say 90% of those people vote GOP because they want the Republicans to protect their kids from terrorists and naughty words. Wonder how this spin campaign will work out.

[NewHampshireDem]

9. Who do you think shops at Whole Foods?

;)

Again, see Connecticut and Massachusetts ... and southern New Hampshire.

[stepnw1f]

10. There's a New Label...

and yes, there are caucasians living in the suburbs that is consider liberal, politically and socially.

[union_maid]

12. Been one for many, many years

And being suburban doesn't necessarily equal affluent either. It's just where you live.

[Snotcicles]

I was gonna say "Pick Me" ha ha n/t

[NC_Nurse]

14. I guess that's me

I live in the 'burbs. I fought to stay in the Chapel Hill school district for my kids. It's way too expensive, taxes are ridiculous. My son just graduated (my youngest) and now we will have to move.
Chapel Hill used to be THE liberal town in NC. Not anymore. Every rich a'hole from the NE or Cali that realized they could make a killing on their home and buy something 2 - 3x the size here has run us out.
I will be leaving soon I'm sure.

[sandnsea]

15. Oh yeah, I know a bunch

I call 'em write a check activists... but I also know quite a few white suburban leftists who are very sincere about working for change. Boomers who didn't sell their soul.

[Eric J in MN]

18. Let's not doubt the sincerity of liberals writing checks.

We need more of that.

[survivor999]

30. Totally agree.

[sandnsea]

31. I didn't mean that exactly

The "boomers who sold their soul" are the ones voting for tax cuts and George Bush. I don't doubt the sincerity of the beliefs of the "write a check activists", I just sometimes doubt their true understanding of what it's like to actually live with the problems they're "activisting" about. I think some wouldn't be quite so adament about a particular solution if they had to life with, or without, the outcome.

[Eric J in MN]

16. The press usually says "liberal" for people in the US, and...

..."leftist" for people in Latin America.

If you asked if there are "White Suburban Liberals" the answer would obviously be yes.

It's only the use of the word "Leftist" which is usually used for people in Latin America which makes the phrase sound strange.

[Kickoutthejams23]

17. There are entire towns of them.

I grew up in Westport Ct and I can assure you almost all of Fairfield County comfortably fits in that category. I'm sure our northern California and Northwest US friends can probably come up with more than a few examples as well. Income is hardly a barrier from having progressive views. As for the suburban lifestyle. Hey different strokes.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

19. I don't follow the question.

It seems to be implying that the existence of people who are white, live in suburban areas and have left-wing political views is in doubt; this strikes me as insane.

Is there a subtext to it that I'm not getting?

[Sparkly]

45. Me neither; same question... nt

[patrice]

20. I think I am one, because I believe the government should provide

national Health Care solutions and Environmental regulation.

[Double T]

21. White guy or gal living in the suburbs with liberal political........

and social views and affiliations; they're plenty of them EVERYWHERE but they are also not a bunch of mouthy blowhards about their views.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

22. Uh, I think that describes ME

I live in a nice beachside neighborhood and I drive a Hybrid SUV with a Steve Earle sticker on it. I think that makes me a White Suburban Leftist. :)

[WinkyDink]

23. Moi.

But I'm a coal-miner's daughter!

[Inspired]

42. Moi, too.

My father wasn't a coal miner, but he lived in an area of Iowa that was mined for coal decades ago.

[mentalsolstice]

25. There Are Also Southern Liberals! Who Knew?

I live in the deep south and consider myself liberal. However, I live in the city proper, and in a liberal congressional district, so I guess I'm a Southern White Urban Liberal. We do have large, and very active, democratic group dedicated to 'burb folks, and I have a several 'burb friends that are liberal...

[etherealtruth]

46. Welcome to DU Mentalsolstice!

You Southern Liberal, you!

[mentalsolstice]

56. Here's A Great Example of 'Burb Liberals

Thank you for the welcome, and go to http://otmdems.org/ to see what 'burban folks are doing here in my very deep south area. It's a varying group of liberalness (sic), but they're working on it! For what it's worth, I want our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible (I'm not sure about a definite, published timeline, because of safety, but then again, I was against it from the 'git go). Then, in my dream world I want us to work on re-establishing our international relations, and most importantly, I want our government to start focusing on domestic issues such as the environment, universal health-care, education, crime prevention, minority and women's rights, disability rights, gay rights, etc. The folks here in Alabama are very patriotic, and are very active in the military. However, according to our newspapers and polls, we've just about hit the limit of our patience...we're concerned about the domestic issues...

[survivor999]

47. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[newyawker99]

60. Hi mentalsolstice!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[WCGreen]

29. I have lived in an affluent suburb most of my life....

I am also an Accountant...

I should be the poster child for the GOP....

I am as lefty as they get....

I'm white and male and hate NASCAR...

[benddem]

33. I don't live in the suburbs

but I have and then I was a white suburban leftist. Good for him!!! We need more.

[johnaries]

35. Here! nt

[WilliamPitt]

36. Hi

Grew up in a suburb outside Boston.

[U4ikLefty]

37. How many beers did he have??? n/t

[helderheid]

39. I live in the suburbs of Salt Lake City and am white, but I hate the term

"leftist"

[Greyhound]

41. Yes, hello there. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

48. Does being a rural Anarchist count?

[survivor999]

49. No idea! You tell me!

:)

[pitohui]

50. why would you want to argue w. him?

a person can be born white and yet not be wealthy enough to be able to live in a costly city hence have to live in the suburbs -- and yet he can still think for himself, can't he?

it's sort of reverse snobbism to assume that everyone who is not incredibly wealthy (limo liberals in hollywood) or poor (many minority democrats in the inner city) are too stupid to catch a clue train

a brain is not an economic status, plenty of middle class people do have them, believe it or not

this attitude is really truly counter-productive

[survivor999]

54. Because it's fun.

:hi:

[ulysses]

51. uh, yeah.

:hi:

[izzybeans]

57. Yep. Not an oddity.

[Aristus]

58. Uh, yeah. I am one.

I'm white. I live in the suburbs. And I'm a lefty. A proud, defiant, patriotic liberal. And will be until I die.

[survivor999]

59. Thanks for all the information.

I think I'm just fine with White Suburban Leftists, then. I'm going to ask my colleague more details next week, since now I'm curious about what he meant. The ones I really cannot stand are the "Holier than you leftists". I tried. Luckily, they are a tiny minority who brags about how small their circle is (and so it will always be irrelevant).

[bleedingheart]

61. there are loads of them...and they also live in the country too

[Iris]

62. Yep. I know a few.

Where I live, if you can't afford $18K-24K per child for private schools, you move to the suburbs where the public schools are better.

[FILAM23]

63. Yes,

there are many.And the meaning is clear, it is a Letist who is white
and lives in the suburbs.. What to argue about?? This creature is not
rare, at least one example can be found in every suburb in the world.