Mike Huckabee visits

Forty-fourth governor of Arkansas, presidential candidate, television host and published author Mike Huckabee presented his new published book, “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy,” at the Liberty University bookstore, Jan. 27.

Huckabee, who has authored nine other books, just published “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy” Jan. 20, 2015, according to mikehuckabee.com, and Liberty University was a stop on his book tour.

Huckabee’s new book describes a different kind of community — a community outside the cities of New York, Washington D.C. and Hollywood. Huckabee called these cities the “big three influences of America.” In his book, Huckabee demonstrates the difference between these three areas of the country and the “land of God, guns, grits and gravy,” as Huckabee said.

Huckabee said his goal for this book is to be able to speak to both sides of the spectrum, or the “Bubblevilles” and the “Bubbavilles,” as he refers to the two different types of places.

The term “Bubblevilles” refers to the New York, Washington, D.C., and Hollywood spectrum of cities and areas of the country, which directly contrasts with the “Bubbavilles,” the God-fearing, grits- and gravy-loving, gun enthusiasts of America.

Between these two areas of America, Huckabee wants to reach a common ground in which people can appreciate others for who they are. He also wants people to have enough respect to listen and consider others’ opinions on topics such as politics, religion and cuisine choices.

“(My book shows) a picture of those of us who (live in the ‘Bubbbavilles’ who) are saying, ‘We’re praying for somebody,’ (and) it’s not weird, (and it) doesn’t seem out of place,” Huckabee said. “If we own firearms (or) keep guns in our homes, we don’t think we’re gun nuts. We just think we’re Americans. Even the things we eat seem perfectly normal (to us).”

According to Huckabee, there is a disconnect between the people of the two different areas. He said that while many Americans have the opportunity to learn about people in the “Bubblevilles,” not many people know about those who live in the “Bubbavilles.”

“We know a lot of things about the people in the (‘Bubblevilles’) because (we learn about them by what) we see in television and in movies, and most of the cultural table is set by (them), … whether it’s fashion or finance, government (or) politics,” Huckabee said. “But they don’t know us (‘Bubbaville’ residents) very well.”

Huckabee hopes his book will accomplish two things. He wants the book to remind the people from the “Bubbavilles” that they are not alone. He said he also hopes the book will help people from the “Bubblevilles” to learn about the “Bubbavilles” and look at the people from those areas with an open mind.

In addition to talking about his book, Huckabee commented about his love for Libety, saying that anyone related to Liberty can help bridge the cultural divide by just being champions for Christ.

“One of the things I love about Liberty is that what it does is truly train champions for Christ,” Huckabee said. “And as I look at what (the late Dr. Jerry Falwell) envisioned and what’s happening on this campus now, I know he would be absolutely ecstatic to see that (his) vision has been (fulfilled) .”

For more information on Huckabee and his new book, “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy,” visit mikehuckabee.com or purchase a copy at the Liberty University Bookstore.

TILLER is the feature editor.