I like country music. It reminds me of home, both in my hometown and my family itself. My hometown is the definition of small-town America, and so I heavily relate to all of the stories in country music. My mom also constantly played country as we were growing up, and my grandmother did as well. From Patsy Cline to Dixie Chicks, my sisters and I knew it all. I like this genre specifically because it gives me a little piece of home, and I find comfort in the familiarity of the songs.
When I talk about what I listen to, I find myself hiding that I listen to country. It is seen as a guilty pleasure here in New Paltz, and so I only divulge it to my closest of friends. I can see why it is viewed as awful, and I think everyone has a right to their own opinion. But I also wish that people could understand that just because I listen to country music does not mean I agree with some of the things that it talks about. I think women are hyper-sexualized and reduced to playthings in most country male songs, and this concerns me deeply. But while I disagree with the lyrics, I find myself playing the songs over and over again for my own comfort. It is my way of coping with missing home, and I wish that we could all respect that.
I am not a hick who drives a truck because I listen to this music. I am a white, educated woman who still chooses to hear country on the radio over other things. The stereotype not only hurts me, but anyone who chooses to listen to a specific genre of music. I just wish that people could understand that I am not uncultured because I listen to this music. I also listen to Billy Joel, The Doors, AC DC, and Florence and the Machine. My music choice is not limited to country music, but unfortunately as soon as the word country comes out of my mouth that is all people seem to care about. I am sick and tired of the stereotypes. I listen to country music because it seems to cure my homesickness. Country, to me, is about going back to my roots and loving what I have without yearning for more. It is my slice of home in a place where home seems so far away.