America

[kmusser]

An an idea that's been percolating for a few months . . . I'd really like to disabuse people of the notion that there is "One America." Nor are there "Two Americas." The United States is made up of hundreds of sub-cultures that often have very little common ground with each other. We're divided by geography, race, class, age, politics, culture, language, religion, etc. People like to think their own life experiences are typical, and I don't care who you are they're just not, there is no such thing as a "typical" or "mainstream" American, there is no majority - and there's nothing wrong with that, I think the problem is pretending or assuming we all have very similar backgrounds when we don't. We're not a melting pot, or even a salad bowl, more like an unused salad bar; full of ingredients that are rarely mixed. Sure your experiences might be typical among your friends and family, but your whole circle of friends and family is just a little bubble in what makes up the nation and most of us don't interact with anyone outside of our bubble. I think this seriously hinders our understanding of each other, or of news items when they're about some corner of the country we're not familiar with (i.e. most of them). I consider myself fairly well traveled, but I know I've just barely scratched the surface. My challenge for you for 2015 is to read or listen to a travel somewhere outside your bubble, one thing this nation is is a fascinating place, learn some about it.