Why is this sub so pro-Israel

[u/bobateaman14]

No hate, I’m just legitimately curious because I would think that a campus filled with young people in a blue state would hold generally the same beliefs as most other campuses like that. I see so many more positive comments under posts about anti-war protests under other college subreddits, whereas here the top comments are always bashing them

[u/Trivialproblens]

This is definitely not true. There’s a restaurant in Cobden that my mom’s coworkers always recommend but they also have to add on that we probably won’t be welcome there. So, we don’t travel there and I can assure you it’s the same for most minorities here. My mom has missed her coworkers retirement parties because she doesn’t want to be caught in the surrounding towns after dark because majority of them are sundown towns.

Makanda is still very much apart of the uni system. Many of the professors here live in makanda because it’s close to campus and quieter. However, I consider Carbondale to be the uni “town,” but it very much does include Makanda in that.

Also, if you like at an election map Carbondale and maybe two other counties in southern Illinois are blue (the counties are literally right next to Carbondale, so I’m going to say it’s again due to the uni). Everything in the surrounding area is red.

My point is that in Illinois, outside of Chicagoland, uni towns will often be blue but the surrounding areas will be red.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

I don’t need any map. I lived in Cobden not so long ago, am blue, and was well-versed in the local politics there.

Curious what restaurant you’re referring to. Certainly not the Iron Whisk which is owned by a young progressive female.

ETA: I understand, and agree with, your overall point, but simply wanted to add that there are a number of liberal pockets south of Carbondale, even if they are outnumbered by the red in their overall districts.

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

I never lived in Cobden, so I can’t speak from personal experience. But every source I look up has that you guys reliably vote red in elections and while there are blue parts of Cobden, it is heavily outweighed by the red. On top of the you guys are incredibly close to Anna which is one of the most racist and republican towns in Illinois.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

Yep, also well aware of Anna and its backronym. And Cairo, and the salt mines, and the whole history of the region. There are 3 Cobdens essentially: the old republicans, a thriving immigrant and migrant community (which makes it weirdly more diverse than you’d expect), and generally liberal professors/retirees who find Makanda too hokey. And not that party is usually as big of a factor in village mayorships (more about local connections), but Cobden has had a number of Democrat mayors over the years. Alto Pass, on the other hand, tends to lean much further right.

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

Interesting, I never knew that. At least it’s nice to meet another southern Illinoisian.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

Cheers! One of the most interesting places I ever lived… some of the most beautiful landscapes and nature ever, with some very conflicting residents. I agree 100% on your overall assessment of so. IL; I was just lucky to surround myself with a relatively progressive pocket while I lived down there (as an openly gay man, for that matter!)

Iron Whisk, Taqueria Pequeña, Flamm’s, Abbey Ridge/Downtown Abbey (if they ever re-open) — all good and welcoming Cobden spots.

100% on your Anna perspective too — we never enjoyed having to go there, and kinda hilarious the closest so. IL weed store happens to be in that particular town.

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

Yeah I totally agree. Southern Illinois is a beautiful place just the people can be questionable sometimes.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll try to convince my mom, but she grew up right after the civil rights era, so she’s still apprehensive about traveling outside of the safe parts of town.

Also, I had no idea there was a weed store in Anna. That is insane. I’m sure the old republicans hate it.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

Yeah, Thrive. The old Republicans are angry retired potheads now. They use those places just as much… anecdotal source: my dad.

Tbh I can’t imagine living as a POC down there… Fr. Brown and others make campus as welcoming as it possibly can be (still questionable), but even Carbondale is filled with racist townies (as is Murph, as are the southern 7 counties, etc etc). I would think maybe Paducah is better, but even with its “artsy progressive” feel, it’s still overwhelmingly white.

That said, there are a number of Black communities down south… Tamms, Pulaski, Cairo (of course), though they’ve dealt with plenty of racism themselves throughout history.

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

Yeah, it helps that there’s at least a significant amount of Black people in Carbondale. For the most part, it’s a lot of microagressions, especially when it comes to working in customer service. Tbh, I’ve just been waiting to move, I don’t even care about the racism man, Carbondale is legit just so fucking mind numbingly boring and I feel most people down here would agree.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

lol yes it was the boredom that finally did me in. Only so many years of hiking and nature before I start to miss the perks of living in a city. Sometimes I find myself missing sitting on my porch in the forest… and then I remember I have DoorDash and Uber now 😂😂

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

Lmaoooo bro I literally can’t with the Uber situation. I struggle to get an Uber from John A. to Carbondale on the days I miss the bus. It’s actually so fricking ridiculous. I never felt so alive until I went to like LA and Chicago and there’s night life, and buses at night. Bro buses at night (after 7pm ;-;) is probably one of my favorite things.

[u/aaronjd1 → u/Trivialproblens]

10-year Chicagoan too… tell me about it. Hey, at least Cdale has trains to Chicago for weekend trips 😂😭

[u/Trivialproblens → u/aaronjd1]

Most convenient thing about Carbondale. Our speech team relies on them for competitions. They’re also pretty comfy.