I can appreciate not wanting to be impolite, but when faced with bigotry - or being asked to align with bigotry - isn't it really important to speak up? I mean, when he said it was "dirty" in Southern CO was he saying that there were a lot of Mexican immigrants there? If so, wouldn't you want to say, "oh, I have family members that are of Mexican heritage so I don't appreciate that kind of talk."
I lived in Omaha from ages 9-18. I always thought the vast openness was beautiful, and I think it's why I'm not a mountain person. Yes, it was very homogenous, but I didn't experience the fear you heard from people. Have things changed in the years since I left, or did I not notice it? I think it's a little of both.
Truly interesting, Ruth. As a 6th generation Nebraskan, I'll suggest there's a lot of layers to the onion. E.g., if you were on Rt. 20, you probably went through Cherry County. According to the County website, it has almost 6,000 sq. miles; the 2020 census lists its population as under 5,500, and that reflects a decline over time. So... property taxes in that County aren't going to differentiate between someone who owns a lot of land and is wealthy, and someone who can work small acreage, buy their tractors very used, and struggle to survive the weather and availability of water. Think about how a school district would get funded. Due to the geography, Nebraska has more school districts than any state in the nation. They are often very, very small, and kids are bused very long distances. Folks value self-reliance and the interdependence of neighbors (did you come across any granges?), and they value their school district: it's a unifying entity, a source of identity. And so they are proud of their high school's 6-man football teams. (They don't have enough kids to support bigger teams.) And by running so many school districts, their kids spend less time on school buses. It gets complicated because they simultaneously know there'd be more resources by consolidating some of those school districts. (They understand the power of the grange.) They understand the power of agricultural co-ops. Thanks for the update! jim evinger
Ugh… and it’s only getting worse. Living in Alabama is an education in itself. Thankfully we are in Mobile where we know people who do care and are trying to make a difference.
I can appreciate not wanting to be impolite, but when faced with bigotry - or being asked to align with bigotry - isn't it really important to speak up? I mean, when he said it was "dirty" in Southern CO was he saying that there were a lot of Mexican immigrants there? If so, wouldn't you want to say, "oh, I have family members that are of Mexican heritage so I don't appreciate that kind of talk."
Interesting!
I lived in Omaha from ages 9-18. I always thought the vast openness was beautiful, and I think it's why I'm not a mountain person. Yes, it was very homogenous, but I didn't experience the fear you heard from people. Have things changed in the years since I left, or did I not notice it? I think it's a little of both.
Truly interesting, Ruth. As a 6th generation Nebraskan, I'll suggest there's a lot of layers to the onion. E.g., if you were on Rt. 20, you probably went through Cherry County. According to the County website, it has almost 6,000 sq. miles; the 2020 census lists its population as under 5,500, and that reflects a decline over time. So... property taxes in that County aren't going to differentiate between someone who owns a lot of land and is wealthy, and someone who can work small acreage, buy their tractors very used, and struggle to survive the weather and availability of water. Think about how a school district would get funded. Due to the geography, Nebraska has more school districts than any state in the nation. They are often very, very small, and kids are bused very long distances. Folks value self-reliance and the interdependence of neighbors (did you come across any granges?), and they value their school district: it's a unifying entity, a source of identity. And so they are proud of their high school's 6-man football teams. (They don't have enough kids to support bigger teams.) And by running so many school districts, their kids spend less time on school buses. It gets complicated because they simultaneously know there'd be more resources by consolidating some of those school districts. (They understand the power of the grange.) They understand the power of agricultural co-ops. Thanks for the update! jim evinger
Ugh… and it’s only getting worse. Living in Alabama is an education in itself. Thankfully we are in Mobile where we know people who do care and are trying to make a difference.