Patchwork Nation
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-10-27/patchwork-nation
Japser Johns, 1961, oil on canvas; from the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York, New York.
Flickr user IslesPunkFan
Ahead of the 2008 presidential election, journalist Dante Chinni crisscrossed the country interviewing people in cities and towns big and small. With the help of statistics expert James Gimpel of the University of Maryland, Chinni separated the nation's 3,141 counties into 12 distinct communities. Along the way, Chinni discovered what he calls "surprising truths about the real America." Today we'll learn about those communities -- how they're evolving and what their citizens are concerned about as we approach midterm elections.
Guests
Dante Chinni
correspondent for the Patchwork Nation Project for PBS NewsHour and the Christian Science Monitor; author of "Our Patchwork Nation."
Kathy Heicher
former editor, the Eagle Valley Enterprise, Eagle, Colorado; author of "Early Eagle."
Edward Pratt
media relations director, Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; former journalist and editor.
John Hansen
grain manager, Sioux Center (Iowa) Farmers Cooperative Society.
![Image of Our Patchwork Nation: The Surprising Truth About the "Real" America](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cgtS58eIL._SL75_.jpg "Our Patchwork Nation: The Surprising Truth About the "Real" America")
Comments
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To the authors: While doing your research, were you surprised to find that your preconceptions of people in certain parts of the country were wrong?
I ask this question because, as an Iowa native, I'm often amused by the preconception that Iowans are ignorant "hicks." In actual fact, statistics show that Iowa has maintained the highest literacy rate (currently 99%) since 1910. And, as every presidential hopeful learns, Iowans take their politics seriously and are not pushovers to be placed in any one box.
I found a great article on this very subject: here. <---
People choose to self-segregate when given the chance. Why? I have no idea. But it seems to be what we do naturally. Personally, I think THAT is a shame.
Question for Dante:
Your segmentation seems sounds similar to the Claritas market segmentation system. Did you start with Claritas segments as a basis for developing yours?
As a former American geography student and a person entering the ministry, your work makes so much sense to me. I venture a prediction that this slice will become a more common way of looking at American than the crude red-blue dichotomy.
I wonder, from your work and perspective, what do you see now that is sustainable--and sustaining--across these different kinds of communities? Is there such a thing as common hope across all these very real and very life-giving differences?
Yet another economy show that won't talk about corporate responsibility to put patriotism ahead of profits in these hard times. There's talk about individual cases, and what the government is doing but NEVER talk about corporate responsibility to help. This is slanted journalism at its worst. NPR and the media won't talk about corporate responsibility - that's clear, but there is a backlash against the greediest of corporations. Their bottom line will soon be this - we see you're greed, firing, and sitting on profits, and we aren't buying from you till you do your fair share to help. Thanks.
I'm an Iowa native now living outside of D.C. I can't decide if I'm amused or appalled by the broad stereotypes of my home state. Is it midwesterners or easterners who are provincial? I feel particular consternation at the apparent need to qualify Iowa as a place that is, "more than agriculture." Family farming is an incredibly important part of our country's history (and, I hope, future), and it is a way of life that should be admired.
On the theme of people in the Midwest not being ignorant hicks...
I'm a web developer. The company I work for has no offices. Everyone works out of their houses.
I'm located in West Michigan (Grand Rapids) and have coworkers in California, Colorado, and Canada (specifically British Columbia, where the founders are).
It leaves me both alone in my basement and internationally connected at the same time. I suspect more people will have jobs like this, and more people than I'm aware of, probably do already.
I came away from the Wills interview with a renewal of appreciation for all sides of the abortion interview.
Until I read the "rip, tear, burn" comments. Now I remember why I have to maintain an unyielding stand on America's need for an unwavering pro-choice policy. We're talking about people who are unthinking and blatantly cruel to women in need, not people who hold a point of view that's principled and compassionate.
I am curious if you noticed any religious clustering associated with your investigations of "red/blue" leanings. My personal observations are that there seems to be a fundamentalist church leaning toward the "red" label.