The new Ken Burns documentary 'Country Music' can help break down our cultural and political divides by increasing understanding and appreciation of our shared American story, writes John Avlon for CNNOpinion
John Avlon is a CNN senior political analyst. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion articles on CNN.
We're divided by culture as much as politics. The roots of red state vs. blue state tribalism reflect the different ways we live in rural and urban America. But while these divides run deep, they are also simplistic stereotypes that are reinforced by ignorance and insults. That's just one reason why the new Ken Burns documentary "Country Music" is essential viewing right now: It can help break down these divides by increasing understanding and appreciation of our shared American story.Country music comes from the heart of rural America. But it is both a cruel and stupid mistake to dismiss it as hillbilly music. It is a cross-pollination of different traditions that has evolved over more than a century.
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