S-Town Reflection

I think S-Town is an interesting story that unveils a life story posthumously revealed that doesn't fit the "social norms" of a place like S-Town. It was intriguing to hear the recounts of John B. McLemore's friends and potential love interests and their interpretation of their relationships to John. Being a closeted gay man in a small Alabama town doesn't fit the narrative for both people who live in the town as well as for people with preconceived notions of those who live in the south. Brian Reed's ability to find people who connected to John one way or another helped to not only reveal more of John's real self in addition to destroying certain stereotypes. However, S-Town did not initially peak my interest. I personally find it harder, but not impossible, to empathize with people and their stories if there is any mention of hate towards people like me. I think it is great to dismantle any and all stereotypes in all communities but the mention of the KKK and referring to Black people as "niggers" always makes it harder for me to focus on the actual narrative at hand. Nonetheless, I do emphasize how important stories like these are for attempting to dismantle stereotypes of the deep south because these issues do exist, especially in the current Trump as president era. There are many hateful stereotypes that also plague small-town, southerners and being able to address their lives beyond what people expect them to be is always important.