Both sides of the political spectrum have propagated two distinct narratives diagnosing the divide separating us Americans: from the left, we hear a racially polarized narrative pointing out systemic racism as the problem. From the right, we encounter a class-centered argument explaining why we Americans are becoming more and more out of touch with the other side. While both sides have there merits, undergoing a critical analysis of socioeconomic forces diffusing throughout this nation, many experts would agree with me that the real divide stems from the age-old rural versus urban split. Anyone with two braincells to rub together knows that the GOP dominates in the rural farming, coal mining, steel making, uneducated, and ‘trailer parks’, and the Democrats maintain strongholds in the metropolitan, hustling and bustling cities. Where and why each party finds it’s base of support is a long but not overly complex issue, and for this article, I will mainly bring to light the tell-all-reason the divide is growing between the rural and urban populations. For starters, over 2/3 of America’s GDP is congregated in Democratic areas. Well, all right, that’s probably just because big companies are stationed in clusters in cities, like how show business inhabits Hollywood, big oil and gas settled in Houston, and tech companies in Silicon Valley, you might ask. That is a valid answer, but the fact of the matter is, America’s growing economy has only uplifted these blue urban areas. For many people, like those living in a run-down coal mining town in West Virginia, or a rotted out auto-making town in Detroit, or a trailer park in the hills of Kentucky, 2008 still hasn’t ended for them. The big bailouts never reached them, the Covid shutdowns destroyed over hundred thousand restaurants already treading water, and the coal mines and steel factories showed no signs of coming back. Rightfully so, these disadvantaged rural manufacturing communities, going from being one of the best places in the country to live in 50 years ago, to a now rust-belt wasteland addicted to opioids and Mountain Dew, are enraged at the ‘liberal elites’ on the coasts. Additional mocking of them through the stereotypical ‘redneck’ found pervasive throughout the out of touch Hollywood celebrities makes matters worse. When you have more affluent areas look down on Middle America and portray an entire half of the country as a bunch of hillbilly racists, we get a burgeoning resistance in our political establishments. As these rural areas see themselves lose the culture war, they realize a newfound sense of importance in the legislative sphere. This new fiery passion for warrior politicians, akin to Donald Trump, leads to more outspoken, stubborn, uncompromising, and tough politicians getting elected and backed with party support. While they may be good getting what their base wants done, the downside is that bipartisanship is found few and far between. As a result, when you have a cultural divide between the two types of life in this country rapidly growing more and more contrasting, you receive a more toxic and polarizing political conversation, exemplifying the Real Divide in America.
By: Zlatan Milanovic
