American History, Travel and Our National Divide

Nearly 15 years ago, Juli and sold nearly all of our belongings, threw on a couple of Gregory backpacks and hopped on our first flight west on a nearly year long trip around the world.  We kept a weekly blog called migratingtwo on those travels, each posting our observations, funny stories, and anecdotes about people we met along the way.   I wanted to do the same on this trip, so we could document our RV travels and share some of our observations "out loud" with our family and friends and just get thoughts down on paper, so we could discuss as a family.  

Things are much different this time around, both in our how and where we are travelling and the world as a whole.  We have kids, a dog, a business to run remotely and a homeschool curriculum to worry about.  There is a worldwide pandemic happening all around us and our country is as divided and polarized at levels not probably seen since the 1960's or maybe even the Civil War.  We struggle with deep-seeded divides like racial justice, the economy, climate change, law enforcement, and the seriousness of Covid-19.  You would think that a common enemy like a virus would unite us, but it has done the opposite.

First some observations on the pandemic.  It has been interesting to see how people view and treat the pandemic and requirements in different states as we have travelled across the USA.  Early on, in Idaho, there were signs on doors, stating, "Masks Required", but it was an anomaly to see someone actually wearing one.  We went to the theme park, Silverwood, north of Coeur d'Alene and very few people were wearing masks the whole day, including staff.  As we travelled east, the same held true in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and to some extent Wisconsin, but then as we hit the east coast states it seemed the pandemic was taken more seriously again.  In places like Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and DC, most people wore masks, even outdoors at all times.  But now, as we travel south again into Virginia, we have noticed things changing again - maybe 50/50.  Our guess is that as we continue to travel down into the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida things will only continue to get more lax, but stay tuned.

Why such differing viewpoints on something, such as wearing a mask across our country?  And why are we so politically divided as a country right now?  In a broad generalization, rural conservatives feel the government should not be telling us what to do in our private lives, especially when it comes to what we wear and gathering with our friends and family.  Individual freedom and the Constitution trump all, despite possible recklessness or risking other lives.  More urban and progressive liberals have a view more in line with Europeans, where we must work together and rely on science for the collective whole to combat the enemy or the virus.  Yet, a smug "cancel culture" and shaming has become prevalent for those that don't view things the same way.

Of course, there are many, multi-faceted factors that lead to this divide, but in my opinion there are several big ones that lead the way. 1) Where you gleam your news from.  It is human nature to want to watch news and seek information from sources that that align with your views and mock the other side.  I think we all can agree that our "news" has become more editorial and commentary than "just the facts" that I was taught in journalism classes in college years ago.  2) Social media has been amazing for staying caught up with friends and family, but so much of the commentary has turned negative with attacks or turning topics into a spiraling political debate.  Not to mention the ads you are constantly bombarded with, whether you realize it not. 3) Lack of travel or maybe a better way of saying it is “breaking out of your shell” and open/nonjudgmental communication – more on that later. 

But, I think if we dig deep and look at the heart of the issue, we have to look at American history and who we are as people.  A topic that has been forefront in our travels over the last month and something we have been studying often.  Americans, by our nature are independent thinking.  We saw ourselves as unique, separate and different from Britain.  If you reflect back on the colonial farming way of life, it was about survival and having enough food each winter to support your family.  Yet, at the same time individual interests were given up to help the collective whole in the New World.  

As we have grown as a country, each generation has become wealthier and more comfortable in our way of life.  I believe the word "more" captures the current under lining philosophical and cultural belief many Americans now have.  More information, more time on the earth, more "friends" (or maybe the better word is acquaintances), more information, more security, more technology, more money, more possessions, more power.  These were things that the early colonists had little or none of.  

Our country has become more urban.  The rural way of life and culture have become rarer.  Where you live has a very profound effect on how you live and how those around you interact with you, not to mention what you value.  Both Juli and I have grown up in what I would consider rural environments.  You know your neighbor, you help your neighbor and you respect your neighbor.  That is not to say those who live in urban environments don’t, but I think it is different - there is an accountability.

Now, to survive as a small farmer, you have to be boutique and special, where most your food at your neighborhood grocery store now comes from commercially run mega-farms.  Urbanites are in competition daily.  You compete to buy your food.  Last week, while in DC, I waited in 30 minutes to get into Costco only to have people once again mad-grabbing water and toilet paper with no respect for anyone, but themselves.  I watched drivers ride the bumper of the car in front of them, to intentionally not let the merging car in.  While checking out, I have had multiple cashiers not even look up or make eye contact during an entire check out transaction, let alone say hello or ask me how my day is going.  Urban living is a different mentality, especially on the east coast.  In some ways, it is still about survival, but in a very individual way and a very different way than rural America.

Maybe we can all learn something from the "other side".  Maybe we can learn to live with each other respectfully.  We can't sit back and be judgmental of the other side and feeling all self-righteous, slinging insults or banning this and that of companies whose perceived values don't exactly fall in line with ours.  Even if that person on the other side is mostly wrong in your opinion, perhaps they may have a point or two that you can learn from or at least respect or broaden your understanding.  

This is why I feel travel is so important.  It gets you out of your daily routine.  You meet new people.  You try new food.  You experience different ways of life.  It opens your eyes and ears up to different points of view.  You appreciate your blessings.  It allows you to self-reflect (like this post!), and it allows for mental, spiritual, and personal growth.  And travelling can really help open your eyes to the true kindness and goodness of humanity.  It is as cliche as they come, but you only have one short life and it is a choice to make the most out of each day.  Get out there, see the world, meet your neighbor, have a civil discussion and learn something from the "other guy", because aren't we all still Americans.