The internets be serious business.

[lisagarland]

Here's an exchange I had with the dude who owns the "West Virginia University Mountaineers.....BCS National Championship Bound!!" group on Facebook. (and here's Mike Freeman's article for reference)

Comments

[nessachan]

We talked a lot about negative stereotypes of West Virginia and how like many negative stereotypes, they are self perpetuating. Meaning, if we "own" the stereotype, it doesn't have power, la la la, so lots of WVians laugh and call themselves hicks and whatnot in order to empower themselves, such as the famed "N-word," I suppose. (Calling himself an "ignorant stupid ass" for example.) I'm not sure if I totally buy it, but I do believe (and we also talked about) that such negative stereotypes have a generally negative influence on people's self worth and attitude, anything that makes one feel lesser or undignified is likely to make them angry... so I think this fella is just another confirmation of what I studied and the lecture I gave. :P

[nessachan]

I should also add that Mr. Freeman's article is just another example of such "accepted" stereotyping and I would pretty much consider it blatantly racist, if being a mountaineer were a race. Appalachian people are one of the few punching bags the rest of society has left.

[lisagarland]

I have no problem with people owning stereotypes, but I think this guy is actually bragging about being stupid and uncivilized, not laughing at it. Makes me wonder why he even had a problem with the article in the first place, since he seems so proud to be that stereotypical West Virginian.
From what I've gathered, he's a 21 year-old gangsta wannabe. He'd probably love to settle this Mike Freeman situation with a busted cap. MANLY.

[bantunianpeanut]

Gah!