4 ms·

First off, stop saying "the Midwest" like it's one unified culture. That's like saying all humans are the same. Secondly, Minneapolis specifically is very cosm

First off, stop saying "the Midwest" like it's one unified culture. That's like saying all humans are the same. Secondly, Minneapolis specifically is very cosmopolitan. I live here, and there's a vibrant progressive culture. I've seen far more Trumpling culture recently on a drive through Illinois and Indiana than in my last ten years of living in Minneapolis. I will repeat - do not _ever_ call "the Midwest" one culture again.

wobblykiwi 5y ago
Driving through Illinois during the election last year was interesting. Having grown up and currently living in Chicago, you won't see much "Trumpling" (as you put it) culture in the city proper and much of the surrounding suburbs, but that changes drastically even an hour or 2 drive out from the city. It's like an entirely different world.
- cozzyd 5y ago
  Yes, probably the best example is driving down Route 66 between Joliet and Wilmington. Wilmington greets you with this: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3094815,-88.1413858,3a,47.3y,296.46h,85.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCoTmniLDPPc72SmlyoTN9w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3094815,-88.1413858,3a,47.3y...
- selectodude 5y ago
  Unless you're Jussie Smollett :O
TameAntelope 5y ago
The midwest is absolutely a shared culture, not sure why you're getting offended by that. There are variations and sub-cultures, but "midwest" share a lot of overlapping traditions and societal mores, including some of the ugly ones mentioned by the above commenter. He's overreacting I think, but he's not entirely wrong. The midwest is by no measure more diverse than other parts of the US, and is therefore less tolerant, in general, than those other parts.
- bovermyer 5y ago
  Besides the obvious divide between urban and rural areas, there are definitely very different cultures present in the area typically called the Midwest. For example, Missouri and Minnesota are both in the Midwest. However, Minnesota is influenced heavily by Scandinavian culture, and Missouri is born of French and German roots. Minnesota is more interested in social engineering and a trust in government, and Missouri is more interested in social independence and religious authorities. I'm not saying that the original commenter's experiences are invalid, but blanket statements like theirs get under my skin. Also: nowhere did I say that the Midwest is more diverse than the rest of the United States. I'm saying that the Midwest is more than one culture and cannot be considered a single entity.
  - TameAntelope 5y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Nations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Nations It isn't a new idea, to group large parts of what you're calling "the midwest" together culturally. The "culture" here is called "midlands" by Colin Woodard.
    - pseudalopex 5y ago
      The other comments didn't say large parts. That article said Minnesota is Yankeedom and Missouri is Greater Appalachia and Midlands.
    - bart_spoon 5y ago
      That book is one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve ever subjected myself to. It has no historical bases or evidence to support its assertions, or really any value of any kind. Woodard isn’t a historian or academic, he’s a writer for a small newspaper in Maine. The book is closer to astrology or those quizzes that tell you what Hogwarts House you belong to than anything that should be taken seriously in any capacity.
      - TameAntelope 5y ago

wobblykiwi 5y ago

Driving through Illinois during the election last year was interesting. Having grown up and currently living in Chicago, you won't see much "Trumpling" (as you put it) culture in the city proper and much of the surrounding suburbs, but that changes drastically even an hour or 2 drive out from the city. It's like an entirely different world.

cozzyd 5y ago
Yes, probably the best example is driving down Route 66 between Joliet and Wilmington. Wilmington greets you with this: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3094815,-88.1413858,3a,47.3y,296.46h,85.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCoTmniLDPPc72SmlyoTN9w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3094815,-88.1413858,3a,47.3y...
selectodude 5y ago
Unless you're Jussie Smollett :O

TameAntelope 5y ago

The midwest is absolutely a shared culture, not sure why you're getting offended by that. There are variations and sub-cultures, but "midwest" share a lot of overlapping traditions and societal mores, including some of the ugly ones mentioned by the above commenter. He's overreacting I think, but he's not entirely wrong. The midwest is by no measure more diverse than other parts of the US, and is therefore less tolerant, in general, than those other parts.

bovermyer 5y ago
Besides the obvious divide between urban and rural areas, there are definitely very different cultures present in the area typically called the Midwest. For example, Missouri and Minnesota are both in the Midwest. However, Minnesota is influenced heavily by Scandinavian culture, and Missouri is born of French and German roots. Minnesota is more interested in social engineering and a trust in government, and Missouri is more interested in social independence and religious authorities. I'm not saying that the original commenter's experiences are invalid, but blanket statements like theirs get under my skin. Also: nowhere did I say that the Midwest is more diverse than the rest of the United States. I'm saying that the Midwest is more than one culture and cannot be considered a single entity.
- TameAntelope 5y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Nations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Nations It isn't a new idea, to group large parts of what you're calling "the midwest" together culturally. The "culture" here is called "midlands" by Colin Woodard.
  - pseudalopex 5y ago
    The other comments didn't say large parts. That article said Minnesota is Yankeedom and Missouri is Greater Appalachia and Midlands.
  - bart_spoon 5y ago
    That book is one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve ever subjected myself to. It has no historical bases or evidence to support its assertions, or really any value of any kind. Woodard isn’t a historian or academic, he’s a writer for a small newspaper in Maine. The book is closer to astrology or those quizzes that tell you what Hogwarts House you belong to than anything that should be taken seriously in any capacity.
    - TameAntelope 5y ago