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Location, location, location - and politics.

12/4/2017

18 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
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​I grew up looking at maps. I’d stretch them out on the floor and dream. Someday, I’d think, I’m going to go here…and here…and here. I knew nothing about these places, but I wanted to see the area. I wanted to explore.

When my kids were little, I had quite a collection of maps from gas stations and AAA, from grocery markets and train stations. Wherever I went, I picked up at least one map.

I’ve learned a lot about human nature looking at maps. For instance, the March 29, 1976 cover of The New Yorker featured artist Saul Steinberg’s map of the world via New York City. It was a huge success among visitors and residents alike, and it still is.

Perhaps it is just my imagination, but don’t you think the map says something about New Yorkers?


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In contrast, here’s a map of Southern California. I was born in San Diego, so I have a special fondness for that area. 

If you talk to a New Yorker, you’ll likely hear that Southern California is the land of fruits and nuts. Of course, the San Diegans really don’t care what the New Yorkers think. After all, they have the beach and the weather. And, they happen to like fruits and nuts. 

Switching to the middle of the United States, the maps get more interesting. Take Texas for example. From the rendition below, it is clear that there's not much of importance to some Texans - other than the great state of Texas. 


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The Northeast on this map is entitled the “Dammed Yankee Land.” And, California is the “Unimaginable.”

Now, as a native Californian who lived in the greater NYC area for 25 years or so, I found this map of Texas to be refreshingly honest.

It, better than any map I have seen, makes it very clear that we see through our unique vantage point.  
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So what does any of this have to do with politics? I went through map after map trying to find correlations that might explain the voting pattern of the last election. I looked at maps of the United States for church affiliation, tornado risks, dog tick infestations, diversity rates, drug deaths, hate groups, longevity rates, marriage success, suicide rates. Yep, there's a map for about anything you can think of. Who knew? I didn't, and I'm the map queen. 

The one map I found interesting was the map of Percent of Residents with High School Diploma. I found it interesting because folks on the coasts sometimes imagine that the great middle of the United States mindlessly cast their vote for the current president. As the map shows us, the middle United States has higher high school graduation rates than the coasts. Who knew?

Keep in mind, aside from the last couple of years, I have spent my life on either coast. I'm an independent who faithfully writes to my representatives and my president to let them know what I think. I'm sure they enjoy hearing from me, because I'm very polite and always offer them solutions. 

And, speaking of solutions, I want to share how I've managed the political upheaval. I try to love more - the people I meet, the "friends" on Facebook, my neighbors on my street. I spend more time trying to understand than to explain. And frankly, I watch very little T.V. 

This, too, will pass my friends. And, if we need another reason to be grateful this season, that one fact tops my list. 

Blessings to all.


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18 Comments
John Howell link
12/5/2017 18:17:45

Marvelous, Gwen. I like your approach to understanding human behavior and for debunking certain myths. I too have spent time on the two coasts, the great midwest, and now on the third coast, Texas. I have found people to be pretty similar deep down. It is when those who like to make a point start to generalize communication becomes difficult. Vey well done.

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Gwen Plano
12/5/2017 19:04:51

Thank you, John. I so agree with you. When we generalize, true communication breaks down. All the best to you.

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Tina
12/5/2017 20:14:40

Thanks for reminding me, that we all need to learn to expand our personal perspectives and to look deeper into other people. How simple it is to try to love more - enough to soften those hard edges, yet so difficult it can be to actually do it.

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 02:48:12

Thank you, Tina. "love enough to soften those hard edges" what a beautiful phrase. When I lived in NY, I used to hear about CA; when I lived in CA, I'd hear about NY. Then, when I moved to the Midwest a few years ago, both areas thought me crazy. :)

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Billy Ray Chitwood link
12/6/2017 08:14:16

Loved the post, Gwen! You touched it all. I'm guilty on many fronts - too conservative to accept mucRh of what liberals have to say. Oops! Maybe too big an admission. Read too much and watch TV too much and allow myself to get frustrated! Generational differences and other variables we can't do much about.
You are so right! There is much for which to be thankful: love and family, freedom, liberty, RRBC, RWISA, people buying my books (tee hee!), okay, our books, and Writing! ♥

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 08:53:50

Thanks so much, Billy Ray. We're all guilty on a variety of fronts. It's good we can laugh about it now and then. Have a great day!

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Karen Ingalls link
12/6/2017 09:12:50

Gwen, I am also a San Diego girl. Moved from there when I was 6 to Long Beach, then back to San Diego as a young adult. Onward to Minnesota, then Florida. Sometime we will have to get together and share about our lives in San Diego!
Yes, the geographical differences politically, socially, accents, and so much more are fascinating. I do miss paper maps far better than what I pull up on the Internet, but I have to move forward with time!
Thank you for this wonderful blog with an equally great message.

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 09:55:37

Thank you so much, Karen. I look forward to eventually meeting. What a delightful thought!

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John Fioravanti
12/6/2017 09:12:55

This is a fascinating post, Gwen, and I loved how your tied the collection of maps into our current difficulties with the polarization and politics of division. You're right, we have much to be thankful for and there's lots of positive things we can do.

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 09:57:20

Thank you, John. It's interesting listening to the different perspectives and reflecting upon my own. Have a great day!

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Jan Sikes link
12/6/2017 10:27:04

This post is fascinating, Gwen. You really spent some time analyzing and researching and what astounding things you found!

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 11:23:46

Thank you, Jan. It was fun. Isn't the map of Texas a hoot? Have a fantastic day.

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D.L. Finn
12/6/2017 11:02:48

I love all your maps, Gwen! There was nothing more exciting to me than having a map in hand and exploring. They not only show how to arrive, but what you are arriving to! Maps and politics haven't been a good mix, but I like your take of trying to.understand where we are going now over explaining it. We do have a lot to be grateful for and a time of year to explore that. Good reminder!

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 11:25:51

Thank you, D. L. We have GPS in the car and as good as it is, I really like seeing the whole map at once and charting a path. Have a great day!

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Davy D link
12/6/2017 11:34:04

A very informative post Gwen and always interesting, from the UK, to read views about what is happening in your country. Love more and watch less TV is a thought we should share worldwide.

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 12:07:39

Thank you, Davy. Politics has a way of drawing out the worst in folks at times. This was just my feeble attempt to add perspective. :) Have a wonderful day.

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Mae Clair link
12/6/2017 11:34:07

I love how you took the time to analyze these, Gwen. I have to admit the map of Texas made me laugh :)

Wherever we are in our niche in the world, we have to remember there is room for all of us!

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Gwen Plano
12/6/2017 12:09:20

Thank you, dear Mae. You are so right, there is room for all of us. ♥

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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