Discrimination amongst homesteaders

[LeatherneckPA]

Another of those "roads less traveled" from the mind of someone who travels there a LOT.

A response to my "Theoretical Homestead" thread made me think of something this morning. The respondent made several references to "back to the landers", and somehow I started wondering if this indicated a bias unknown to me amongst homesteaders.

Is there a difference between homesteaders and back-to-the-landers? How about the survivalists or the self-sufficiency types?

Is one "less sincere" or less worthy of respect than another? Does one have a bad connotation attached to it that I am unaware of?

[kawalekm]

Hi Mike
I think the terms are contextual. I can see "back to the lander" used both ways. I suppose to me the term means those people who decided to give up the rat race to follow their dreams. In one sense, it's used to identify a failed ideology, an outgrowth of the "hippy" movement based more on ideals than solid reality. I'm sure there are many more personal stories that ended in divorse, alcohol, and suicide than successes. That's why "back to the land" has a negative connotation with me. It refers to those people that didn't think things through to come up with a viable plan for living.

Survivalist is definately negative everywhere today outside of the Morman community. Camo dressed guys oiling their AR's in their bunkers. I'd be worried if someone identified me in public as a survivalist.

Homesteader today has a more positive sound. I'd introduce myself as a "homesteader" to people I don't know. When asked why, I mention things like growing organic food, living closer to nature. I don't bring up my target range, or my stocks of ammo. Labels are important.
Michael

[mike82934]

I have to agree, when I hear the phrase "back to the land" I automatically think of the hippies who started farming communes, who were more obsessed with getting high and connecting with nature than making a living.
I call myself a survivalist, only because that's more of my tendency, but I don't go telling everyone about it. When I did see someone identify themself as such to someone outside that vein, it was seen as a joke...and like kawalekm said, backwoods militias and conspiracy theorists were mentioned.
"Homesteader" still brings up less-than-ideal connotations from some, I've found, but not nearly so much as the other terms. But what does it really matter? As long as you're doing what you want to do, who cares what it's called.

[edward_4576]

I concur. I notice that terms like survivalist or preparedness are equated with all sorts of groups and most have negative connotations. The same considerations go with terms like homesteader or self reliant.

The way average people are led to believe how radical these ideas are go hand in hand with some of the issues that have been kicked about on these boards. These issues being the fact that you keep your preps quiet.

I learned that several years ago and I’ve heard many others here have the same thing said to them “If anything happens I’m going to come and stay with you.” You also get stuck with strange looks from friends, neighbors and relatives.

I prefer to keep things quiet and not get any names labeled to me.

[Naughty_Pines]

Back to the lander, survivalist, homesteader. In my mind they all mean about the same thing. Someone who is trying to make things work through their own efforts. Not working full time for a "BOSS."

I live on about 1/8th of an acre in a small village. It is by no way what many here have to enjoy but I consider myself a homesteader and am proud of being called any of the above names.I only wish I had more property to grow things and own animals.

Basically we are all decendants of pioneers that had to grow or provide their own food and necessities through their entire lives. It is just like following a family tradition.

When someone kind of skowles at my life style I just smile and say, " yeah, ain't it wonderful." The only one's opinion of your life style you should worry about is yourselves opinion.

[Deberosa]

In my "professional" world I have a hobby of creating a sustainable agriculture system on my small farm. ;D

I share bits of what I am about as I get to know people. The rest think I'm crazy but oh well, but I agree as soon as you talk survivalist you start to put most people on edge. They really think along the same lines often but the sterotype is there.

[flatwater]

Personally I think labels suck. Why can't we just be we. First of all , people who label me really don't know me at all.I can be just about anything depending on the mood I'm in or who I'm around. talk to me respectfully and I'll be your friend. Talk down to me and you won't want to be my friend. Let your nay be nay and your yea be yea and we will get along fine. I am the wind. Well maybe not the wind but I am windy at times.
Flatwater

[Mac_Muz]

All of em are derogatory words used by urbanites to demean what we do because they either won't or can't.

To them Back to the lander, is probably what they were, but they got greedy, cut off their hair, put on a tie and went to work for the company.

The one that scares them most is the survivalist, who is seen to have one tooth, a slew if AK-47's with kids looking more like hawgs than the hogs do. This banding is worse if you were ever in the military. The fear is based on non-sence, but to them it is real, and youare seen as the type who will just take from them as you blankly stare into their eyes, like a snake leaving them no more than the prey they are.

The homesteader is on welfare to any urbanite and has no more than a 2nd grade eddy u K shun. The fact things live and grow isn't worthy of mention. If you are this type you should look in dress much like the Clampets, stupid yet harmless.

[LeatherneckPA]

Mac, whar ken I fine me one a dem dar Ellie Mae Clampetts? I reelie likes her roap belt.

[Mac_Muz]

Why fer? Whitchy gonna do wid a roap belt? Too short ta holt up britcin's and not near's long nuff ta hold a desent hangin'?

Now dat Ellie, she wuz sho a looker eh! I kin tell dar ain't nuffin wrong wid yer lites!

[solarman]

Most back to landers I know escew material goods and especially gadgets prefering the old school homestead ways. I am a "new homesteader" that embraces any new tech that will make my life simpler (as long as it doesnt harm the environment) I use solar power and a solar composting toilet and I have a cell phone.

LaMar