This makes a lot of sense. If I ever make something of myself I’d love to write about this and make it a counter-thesis to Hillbilly Elegy, I’m going to call it Redneck Requiem.

You nailed it on the last bit, while I know it’s not nearly to the same extent as the real thing. As far as I’m concerned, the boonies and the suburbs are just another form of ghettoization for a different section of the working class. I’d love to write how the modern suburb is now used as a “icky poor containment zone” now that the rich learned about walkable cities (and want them all to themselves.) Despite being mostly white and having some “privilege”, suburbs deny people growing up in them access to community and amenities and if all jobs are going to be nepotism hires from here on out, suburbs and rural communities also deny people access to connections that pull them out of poverty. Oh, and if you’re queer then it’s fucking over for you and even more isolating knowing you’re under the good ol’ boys watchful eye.

Sorry for the rant, that last part really struck a nerve in a good way.