declaring my independence (or reflections on the American Dream)

So today is independence day; the day America celebrates the best of being American, remembering that for a least one more year, she and her inhabitants are the most influential, powerful and prosperous nation on the planet. Churches this week have been declaring the pledge of allegiance during services (offering up scary comparisons with the Roman empire). Newspapers and talk show hosts debate what it means to be a patriot and why it’s important for a presidential candidate to wear a flag pin everywhere. Ordinary Americans clash over whether or not it’s appropriate to be ashamed of military crimes and an unjust, never-ending war; or if as a true citizen, one should always be proud of the troops, regardless of the conflict or it’s methods.

With my departure from this gargantuan empire only hours away, I thought it might be time for a serious of posts on the American empire. In the coming days I hope to provide reflections on some of the cities I’ve visited, comments on sport, politics and food. I wanted to also write on culture, but after 2 years of traveling the States and interacting with her inhabitants I’ve realized that she represents many cultures and is a coalition and collision of values and ways of life. Here is the first of two posts on the divided cultures of the United States.

The Pacific Northwest
I’ve not spent nearly as much time in these parts as I would have liked. For me this includes parts of Northern California, Oregon and Washington State. I have to admit, I like the vibe of this place. Much less developed than other regions, this stretch of the States is bordered by the amazing Pacific Ocean with all her delights on one side, and seemingly never-ending mountain ranges to the east. The culture is liberal-retro-hippy-chilled out-savvy-organic. It’s Liberal in that most of the population has moved here at some point to escape the right-wing religious and political frenzy that dominates other aspects of the nation. People love their beer, yet not all are alcoholics. It’s retro in that life is tranquil here, the cities are sustainable and underdeveloped, there is tones of free space and not much concrete. The wood and snow that dominates the scenery for much of the year also creates a slightly hippy feel, and the abundance of independent cafes and thrift stores add to the feel. While the pace is slightly slower, the community life much less frantic and neurotic than other places, the region is remarkably savvy, embracing technology and even being a hub for it in the case of Washington State. It’s also a place where you’ll find quality, organic foods, alongside the processed versions. My ideal community.

California & Las Vegas
The hub of music, film, TV, celebrity, people trafficking, artistry, California & Las Vegas represent their own set of values that are broadcast not only to the remaining states but also to the world. This is a narcisstic-open ended-spiritual-copycat-liberal-exploitation-independent culture. Narcissistic in that these are the centres of the good time, the binge empire (be it binging in drinking, drugs, cosmetics, fashion, surgery) and the kingdom of self. You realize pretty quickly that while everyone in this culture is open to being your friend, most will redefine friendship to what others would call an acquaintance. The loneliest places in America are also projected as the most fun places in America. Everyone is from somewhere else, and everyone is going somewhere else, be it skid row or south Malibu. It’s an incredible place of spiritual openness and brokenness, with shattered lives begging for help on every corner and a smorgasbord of cults, charities and clubs for the elite. It’s a transmitter of culture, but not as some contend, a creator of culture. It’s the hub of the copycat, where subtle changes are mass-produced and marketed to the masses. It’s liberal, independent, freethinking and free choosing. It’s also tragically a centre of exploitation; underpaid migrants largely fulfill the working class duties of the city, while sex workers are trafficked in from across the planet, and starry-eyed-celebrity wannabes work their way through the pecking order of SAG, sound stages and starbucks for the bosses. This is the best of America and the worst of America all rolled into one; the opportunity and hostility, the intimacy and the isolation, the destructive brokenness and the brokenness becoming art are all here. Delightful and deadly.

Tomorrow-the Northeast and the South