I think there's also something going on here about the transitioning of local identities and how we come together in small to mid-size communities to manage that. There have been multiple instances in recent years of pockets of immigrants moving into smaller, semi-rural communities because the cost of living tends to be lower and they may historically come from an agriculture-heavy culture, making a more rural lifestyle more familiar. This ends up revitalizing towns that have been depressed due to manufacturing moving out, the decline of small, family farms, and the general trend of migration to bigger cities, but it also often introduces racial/ethnic diversity into communities that have been historically very White.
There are inevitably folks in those communities that find the change threatening. But the issue isn't really the challenge to homogeneity. It's that these small to mid-size, semi-rural communities are suffering from decades of lack of economic development, and underinvestment by state and federal governments in services and infrastructure. At this moment there are rural communities less than 20 miles outside of my very liberal, comparatively well-resourced, college town where you can't get high speed internet AT ALL. Where there's nowhere to buy groceries but the Dollar Store. Where there's no access to public transportation of any kind.
People in those communities don't want to throw people out. But they are largely left behind by the powers-that-be, and they need folks in more well-resourced areas of the country to advocate for them rather than demonizing them or using their potential feelings of vulnerability under late-stage capitalism, as the right wing is doing.
Totally agree, Asha. Those towns deserve broadband! And other infrastructure investments! Because they're places where people live! And, on top of that, I also hope that they find new vitality thanks to new residents.
Immigrants are the reason my very rural hometown still exists in any way recognizable to me. One of the coolest little examples I've seen on visits back is the new (read: decade-old, but will be referred to as new for at LEAST 40 years) Mexican restaurant opened by immigrants in my originally-settled-by-primarily-Dutch hometown named Los Tulipanes. There's definitely some folks that were threatened and I'm sure that continues, but I've also noticed that people I knew from high school that participated in that rhetoric sure do like the local margaritas now!
I was thinking as I was reading Asha's comment about how I've noticed so many more Mexican restaurants popping up in very small white towns and I am so here for it. Margaritas can really bring people together. :)
It's a running joke between my spouse and I that in the rural county we live in, somehow every little town (most <3000 residents) can support something like 3-6 Mexican restaurants :P It's not even a racial or ethnic diversity question - straight numbers, every household has to be eating Mexican several times/week!?
Thanks for the shout out, my dear! This def feels like a great argument for more solutions journalism so we can see ourselves and our various responses to immigration reflected back accurately to us! Love it.
Wanted to jump into the comments immediately to say my aunt moved to Springfield about 10 years ago, and there are large parts of it that are so welcoming. We attended their super vibrant Juneteenth celebration this year where the mayor spoke really earnestly about the need to uplift minorities as a white man who has achieved a position of power in a diverse community. I hope that the stories coming out of that area continue to reflect the nuance and diversity that already is present in the area. My own hometown about 1.5 hours north of there has also received a big influx of Haitian immigrants and I hope people welcome them
Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book. Dog-eating immigrants v red-blooded Americans, Christians v heathens, free market loving corporations v marxists, etc. etc. Will people fall for all the B. S. and turn against each other? Stay tuned. We shall find out in November.
Re: what we'll see in November, count me as a non-naive optimist (meaning an optimist that's gonna try to do a lot of organizing between now and then).
Springfield! Guided By Voices! It’s Southwest Ohio day at The White Pages! Yay!
All kidding aside, all of this Springfield stuff has been surreal. I’m in Springfield regularly. One of our family’s closest friends has owned a business there for decades. I live 20 minutes down the road. It’s jarring to hear all the vitriol and hate.
Springfield’s residents are just like everyone else; Trying to make it in the world and better their community. It’s so frustrating to see them used for ugly political points.
Isn't that such a bummer (having your community be the poster child for other people's vitriol)? I saw this (about Aiden Clark's parents asking to not have their son's death be used to drive hateful narratives) and it just broke my hear thttps://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/parents-of-child-killed-in-bus-crash-dont-want-son-associated-with-hate-at-city-meetings/54CNPTO6JFESHJB5CUK4M4NW64/
“The overwhelming majority of voices aren’t actually complaining about the migrants. In fact, a wide range of Springfield residents— including conservative business owners and workers— are adamant that their Haitian neighbors have enriched both civic and economic life. “
I think there's also something going on here about the transitioning of local identities and how we come together in small to mid-size communities to manage that. There have been multiple instances in recent years of pockets of immigrants moving into smaller, semi-rural communities because the cost of living tends to be lower and they may historically come from an agriculture-heavy culture, making a more rural lifestyle more familiar. This ends up revitalizing towns that have been depressed due to manufacturing moving out, the decline of small, family farms, and the general trend of migration to bigger cities, but it also often introduces racial/ethnic diversity into communities that have been historically very White.
There are inevitably folks in those communities that find the change threatening. But the issue isn't really the challenge to homogeneity. It's that these small to mid-size, semi-rural communities are suffering from decades of lack of economic development, and underinvestment by state and federal governments in services and infrastructure. At this moment there are rural communities less than 20 miles outside of my very liberal, comparatively well-resourced, college town where you can't get high speed internet AT ALL. Where there's nowhere to buy groceries but the Dollar Store. Where there's no access to public transportation of any kind.
People in those communities don't want to throw people out. But they are largely left behind by the powers-that-be, and they need folks in more well-resourced areas of the country to advocate for them rather than demonizing them or using their potential feelings of vulnerability under late-stage capitalism, as the right wing is doing.
Totally agree, Asha. Those towns deserve broadband! And other infrastructure investments! Because they're places where people live! And, on top of that, I also hope that they find new vitality thanks to new residents.
Immigrants are the reason my very rural hometown still exists in any way recognizable to me. One of the coolest little examples I've seen on visits back is the new (read: decade-old, but will be referred to as new for at LEAST 40 years) Mexican restaurant opened by immigrants in my originally-settled-by-primarily-Dutch hometown named Los Tulipanes. There's definitely some folks that were threatened and I'm sure that continues, but I've also noticed that people I knew from high school that participated in that rhetoric sure do like the local margaritas now!
Funny how that (enjoying a margarita) happens
I was thinking as I was reading Asha's comment about how I've noticed so many more Mexican restaurants popping up in very small white towns and I am so here for it. Margaritas can really bring people together. :)
Can confirm (source: have drunk margaritas)
It's a running joke between my spouse and I that in the rural county we live in, somehow every little town (most <3000 residents) can support something like 3-6 Mexican restaurants :P It's not even a racial or ethnic diversity question - straight numbers, every household has to be eating Mexican several times/week!?
Ooh, can journalists go to the Mexican restaurants vs. the diners? I'm intensely curious about this now!
Would read those articles 100%
Best idea. Much more honest interview subjects after a round of margaritas too.
Thanks for the shout out, my dear! This def feels like a great argument for more solutions journalism so we can see ourselves and our various responses to immigration reflected back accurately to us! Love it.
Wanted to jump into the comments immediately to say my aunt moved to Springfield about 10 years ago, and there are large parts of it that are so welcoming. We attended their super vibrant Juneteenth celebration this year where the mayor spoke really earnestly about the need to uplift minorities as a white man who has achieved a position of power in a diverse community. I hope that the stories coming out of that area continue to reflect the nuance and diversity that already is present in the area. My own hometown about 1.5 hours north of there has also received a big influx of Haitian immigrants and I hope people welcome them
You had me at very earnest White guy mayor!
Divide and conquer is the oldest trick in the book. Dog-eating immigrants v red-blooded Americans, Christians v heathens, free market loving corporations v marxists, etc. etc. Will people fall for all the B. S. and turn against each other? Stay tuned. We shall find out in November.
Re: what we'll see in November, count me as a non-naive optimist (meaning an optimist that's gonna try to do a lot of organizing between now and then).
Loved your subheading - I have Jen's poster on my fridge so it is very familiar to me! 😊
Such a great design!
Springfield! Guided By Voices! It’s Southwest Ohio day at The White Pages! Yay!
All kidding aside, all of this Springfield stuff has been surreal. I’m in Springfield regularly. One of our family’s closest friends has owned a business there for decades. I live 20 minutes down the road. It’s jarring to hear all the vitriol and hate.
Springfield’s residents are just like everyone else; Trying to make it in the world and better their community. It’s so frustrating to see them used for ugly political points.
Isn't that such a bummer (having your community be the poster child for other people's vitriol)? I saw this (about Aiden Clark's parents asking to not have their son's death be used to drive hateful narratives) and it just broke my hear thttps://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/parents-of-child-killed-in-bus-crash-dont-want-son-associated-with-hate-at-city-meetings/54CNPTO6JFESHJB5CUK4M4NW64/
“The overwhelming majority of voices aren’t actually complaining about the migrants. In fact, a wide range of Springfield residents— including conservative business owners and workers— are adamant that their Haitian neighbors have enriched both civic and economic life. “
Gosh this is nice to hear.