When I was in school, being from the “country” wasn’t quite cool yet. I remember the disgusted looks I got from girls at my lunch table if I spoke on hunting. As far as they were concerned, I went out and killed Bambi on the daily. But, in the 2025-2026 years, country has made a huge comeback. Out with vans and in with the Ariat’s.
I think this rise and fall of popularity of country culture is an interesting reflection of attitudes about the United States. Country was cool in the 80’s under Reagan, late 90’s and early 2000’s, and reviving again in the late 2020’s. To be honest, I am all for it.
America’s political tides live in a constant state of motion. Some years it’s all blue, others its all red. The popular resurgence of redneck culture seems to mirror the current political tide. At first, this bothered me, as it seemed so disingenuous. But now I am grateful for it. The “country” way of life is slower and more earnest. Attention brought to America’s roots is all good attention, as far as I’m concerned.
Money invested into this trend in the form of rodeos, boots, and clothing is a popular vote that helps keep “country” alive. American beef and agriculture are in a stricken state. More of our food is imported from other countries than ever before, putting local family farms on the verge of shutting down. Millions smaller farms are already being lost every year due to unmanageable prices.
But, the popular vote is good attention. Money to preserve the slow way of life is something to be praised, even if the leather is fake.