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I have just enjoyed a fascinating fortnight traveling around our country, giving talks. The trip left me inspired to explore the USA. I was hosted by wonderful people in Fort Smith Arkansas, Port Huron north of Detroit, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, at the International House on campus in Berkeley, and at Apple and Google headquarters in Silicon Valley. Going from Apple to Arkansas, I was struck by the variety in this country. Given that, it’s a compliment to our civility that we hold together as well as we do.
My fantasy is to put together a 20-cities-in-30-days lecture tour to small towns in unlikely corners, letting locals share their pride in their communities with me each afternoon as part of the deal. (I must admit that a two-bit celebrity is treated like a four-bit one in smaller towns.)
I felt the pride and goodness of people everywhere. Philadelphians, while a bit apologetic that they are neither DC or NYC, love their city. The people of Arkansas have a good humor about their reputation. Even though they still joke “thank God for Mississippi” when it comes to leading the country in obesity, teen pregnancies, lack of education, and poverty, they are making impressive progress as a state. These days, joking about Arkansas that way is like joking about England’s food — it shows you haven’t been there in a while.
But the Deep South wears its conservatism like Seattleites wear their liberalism. Laying my head on an American flag pillowcase in my B&B, hearing people say with pride, “Eighty percent of America’s soldiers come from The South,” and the omnipresence of Fox News in breakfast rooms and lobbies made me feel a bit of a foreigner.
I met many Europeans. It seemed most were wives of locals. I didn’t realize how many German war brides came here after WWII. Apparently, most ended up in the South. Whenever I met a European spouse, they expressed how they enjoyed hearing a European perspective in a public forum. (But that yearning always seemed to be trumped by the gentility, goodness, and strong community of Southern living.)
The people I met, while culturally different from me, were smart, caring, and proud of the accomplishments of their communities. My last stop was Oklahoma City, where I enjoyed talking to a huge crowd of 1,400. People even drove in from out of state. From the big turnout to the VIP meals before and after, it was a delightful experience.
While news stories (like retired generals making fortunes on the boards of companies that sell the USA weaponry) seemed particularly annoying on this trip, traveling around the USA made me feel good about the people of this country.
Wherever I went, people were trying to be good citizens and caring neighbors. They enjoyed the edgy message I brought with my “Travel as a Political Act” lectures, and I enjoyed the caliber of their character. I feel I planted some progressive seeds. And, at the same time, I gained more respect for Conservative America. I want to do more of this.
Isn’t Oklahoma City cool? I can’t believe I said that! I have been going there for years on business and I dig it. America is a great paradox with so many micro and macro social structures it’s amazing were one huge country. Oh and Fox news here in the deep south is like CNN 20 years ago. Just background noise.
Rick A few years ago I missed your visit to a city in my area……I was disappointed …but I could not attend……I was on a 5-week marathon trip all across Europe…!!!!! Great idea to visit US cities and towns….keep up the good work…..
Now you are describing the US that I know and love! And, did you notice, your Visting-Europe guidelines work well here, too! Meet the locals. Be flexible. Be courteous. Try to use some words and phrases in the local language. Did you also notice that american English differs noticeably among the areas your visited?
Nice post. One has to be in touch with his/her own country and people to appreciate any travel. For most of us our love of travel starts in the US and goes from there. Glad to read you enjoyed America.
Merhaba from Istanbul! Taking time on my 7th and final day here to see what’s been happening with the blog. I’ve had a marvelous time, and met other like minded travelers from all over the world. Not really surprised at the Southern hospitality bestowed to you Rick–after all, the South excels at personal first impressions…Don’t worry Rick, your birthright or identity as an American doesn’t fade with each stamp of the passport, no matter what others may think. And congratulations to Bill on really living his travel dreams. And a special thanks to Lale and Tankut for just a wonderful guidie…my journey wouldn’t be the same without it!
I have to mention a typo though I am loathe to be this picky. It’s a funny slip I’ve heard from you before. I think you were referring to Silicon Valley (no E). Silicone can be used to create a different “valley” altogether. Happy travels.
My family roots are all over the South and the paradox it creates with my decidedly liberal immediate family makes for very interesting and not to be missed family reunions!
Editor’s Note: Thanks for pointing it out. We’ve fixed it!
E the typo queen.
“thank God for Mississippi†when it comes to leading the country in obesity, teen pregnancies, lack of education, and poverty,” And do not forget we have made it up to number 47 in increase in smokers (nothing to be proud of). That aside Rick we would be very happy to have you visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Mississppi PBS proudly broadcast your show each Sunday at 5PM and they would not do that if the number of watchers and fans was not signaficant.
I enjoy most places I visit in the US, people tend to be friendly mostly no matter where you go, Especially if much like your guide books espouse .. you don’t act like a total rube when you visit. So many people feel the need to just trash the southeast when they visit, Anthony Bourdain did a show on ” South Carolina ” but never left Charleston.. And spent the whole show trying to say that everything that made south Carolina unique was blatantly ripped off from some one else.. (oh and bashing Rachel Ray) My vote for one of your 20/30 cities would be Athens Ga. Or Savannah.
Laying my head on an American flag pillowcase in my B&B Interesting that conservatives violate the law in the name of patriotism. Of course the other side does it too, but Title 4, Section 8(d) of the United States Code (federal law) still says that (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. You could look it up. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sec_04_00000008—-000-.html
I’ve been in a unique position to have many relatives from both the Deep South (where my “blood” parents where born) to the North Dakota, MinneZota, where many of my step-family kin reside, and other places so culturally different from one another. I live in suburban Chicago now, but have lived in the city proper for a few years, have friends and family from various cultural, political and sexual backgrounds, and I must say that that is what makes America unique: somehow it DOES all work! Despite our kaleidoscope of differences, we tend to get along on the whole and rarely try and tear the country down in revolutions (in spite of sometimes segregated communities, or violent tendencies and actions by some citizens). I believe this is what sets our country apart from other nations – this ability to figure out ways to, for the most part, live in a “more perfect union”. This is precisely why folks STILL want to get into this country. I think there are enough learned people who realize what the Founders were trying to do makes the most sense (paraphrase): “It may not be the most perfect form of government, but it is a far better model than those that have been tried in the past!” We NEED a a place where a culturally liberal city, such as Portland, OR, and a culturally conservative city, such as Tulsa, OK, can exist – and dare I say even flourish – in the same country! Different folks, common interest: prosperity and happiness as they see fit, and are uniquely American all the way! Nice entry, Rick!
Rick….. it’s nice to see you recognize that you need to re-connect with America! Given that ‘most’ of your contact is with ulta-liberal Seattle and ultra-liberal Europe, a reset in perspective is a good thing. While we as a society may often disagree, I feel it is important to at least understand where the opposition is coming from in terms of their life experiences and values. Unfortunately, we have become so quick at demonizing and labeling one another that ‘real understanding’ rarely occurs. Funny how so many of the people you met would likely be called ‘extremists’ by those in the media for their beliefs, when you found them to be kind, and decent people. Yet the media has no problem glossing over the ‘extremism’ of the Ft. Hood gunman. Yes, a reset in perspective is definitely in order!
Rick, You can find Conservatives right in your own backyard. Drive Eastbound on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass into Eastern WA you will find some there, or head south of the King County line – we’re here!!!
Classic photo!!!
Rick, The idea of a US tour of smaller venues is a great one. Be sure to visit what my mom calls ‘fly-over land’ in the middle of the US (where many fly over as they go coast to coast). I grew up in Rochester MN where it was ‘cosmopolitan’ in the sense that folks from all over the world came to the Mayo Clinic, however there wasn’t much ‘worldliness’ in the conversations or news locally. I have relatives who have never left a three state area. Your “Travel as a Political Act” talks would be most interesting with them.
Rick, please come to Grass Valley, California. We need some help here!
Hmm, ultra-liberal Europe. It’s been my experience that Europe is populated with as many various political opinions as the US. Rick probably hangs with the liberals more, but I think that the full political spectrum is present world wide. Come to Wisconsin Rick. We’ve got the full spectrum of opinions here.
I’m a transplanted northerner working in the south, surrounded by such thick right-winged politics my job is threatened for even hinting that I don’t agree. When Obama won, the 5 of us who were happy had to keep quiet at work for fear of being fired. It’s that bad, Rick.
Oh,no, you were in my city-Port Huron, MI and I missed you??? Please say you’ll be heading this way again soon! I would love to give you a tour and show you a wide-range look at different people and places!
Rick: Now you know how I feel when I visit the Edmonds area.
We would welcome you in Tulsa, OK as well!!
I was born in the Deep South and have lived here for most of my life. I love it here and love the people, but I have always felt like a foreigner in my own region. The politics here tend to be echo-chamber conservative, but they are really just tribal. Yet, it is that way in other regions and countries; tribal loyalities determine a person’s politics — and religion. Rick is right in recommending travel as a way to help us all recognize how much we have in common.
Rick’s regular visits to other U.S. states will help him be even more persuasive. People act differently when they are in their own comfort zone and backyard than when they are traveling with others from other places. So you get to know them better. And each region has its own characteristics and characters: . The native Southerner is unfailingly polite and often very religious. . New Englanders really do take awhile to warm up to newcomers but don’t dump you quickly either. . Midwesterners are mostly friendly especially those in Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Minnesota. It’s very cold so they are motivated. . Mid-Atlantic folks (Pa., Del. Va. are brusque and business-like but efficient). . Westerners range from the highly independent and self-sufficient in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah to insular in big cities like Seattle. Californians are a breed unto themselves and should probably divide into at least 3 separate states. . New Yorkers are a mosaic of cultures and accents who seldom admit anyplace is better. My wife is a real New Yorker. . Texans are super proud. I think we have a country that’s pretty good on average despite our diversity and our mistakes. But we can do a lot better. bill, south carolina
Go Rick!
I live in Kentucky and just this morning I overheard a co-worker say, “I’ll take Bush over Obama any day. That Obama needs to be stopped! He wants to turn us into a Muslim country!” Oh really? First it was that he wanted to turn us into a Marxist country, then I heard that he wanted to turn us into a Socialist country, and now they’ve decide “no, he wants to turn us into an Islamic Caliphate.” I’m a moderate in my politics (not entirely liberal, not entirely conservative) and even we moderates have it pretty rough down here in Kentucky.
Doesn’t Rick seem a little surprised to meet nice conservatives? Why is that? Hasn’t his travels taught him by now that it isn’t a persons political philosophy that makes them good/bad or polite/impolite or even open minded/bigoted. This is determined completely by how much of a fanatic or true believer they are when it comes to their world view. The inability to take any other political world view other then ones own seriously is the mark of an extremist. I’ve been a lot of places and talked to a lot of different people. Liberals like to think they are open-minded, but in my experience they have no less extremism among them then conservatives do.
How nice to hear you say something positive about your fellow Americans. And GASP! – even the conservative ones. And just curious here, but what makes the American flag (albeit a pillowcase US Flag) uniquely a symbol of conservatism? Do liberals not like the US Flag? Just curious.
Rick, Come see us in Des Moines. We’re like Arkansas or England-if you haven’t been here in a while you’ll be surprised at what a fun and friendly place it is.
So sorry I missed you in Oklahoma City, Rick. I vote living here! It’s such a cool little city– lots of progress has been made in the last decade-plus. Yeah, we’re conservative (all 77 of our counties voted for John McCain), but Oklahoma City especially is a very unique combination of conservative and progressive. We support massive public works projects, give more to charity than just about anyone, and have even elected an openly gay county commissioner. We are a paradox indeed. We are a good, caring people (you may have heard of the “Oklahoma Standard” after the OKC Bombing in 1995). I’ll have to keep better track of your travels in the US from now on so I don’t miss you when you’re in my area again.
Rick, I love your travel information, but you are one of the most arrogant and condescending writers I have ever come across. Somehow though, I can’t stop reading.
Ah, yes this old chestnut. Europe is advanced and the US(or more specifically the south) is backwards… When are you (Rick) going understand not everyone thinks like you and your opinions are not facts….