Cafeteria Nation

Cafeteria Nation

In One Nation, Slightly Divisible, David Brooks breaks down the country into two groups. Blue America, or the city, and Red America, the rural area. Brooks discusses the vast differences between each group as well as the stereotypes of each. For example, in his article he says, “We sail; they powerboat. We cross-country ski; they snowmobile. We hike; they drive ATV’s. We have vineyard tours; they have tractor pulls. When it comes to yard work, they have rider mowers; we have illegal aliens” (Brooks 53) where Brooks refers to himself as a Blue American. The divisions in our country are very visible, but the hostility and jealousy toward other groups is underneath the fact that we are Americans together. It is like a cafeteria nation.

The differences between Red and Blue Americans are many, but the first thing you notice is their view on lifestyle and where they view themselves on the social latter. The biggest statistic given by Brooks is that, “Eighty-five percent of Americans with an annual household income between $30,000 and $50,000 are satisfied with their housing. Nearly 70 percent are satisfied with the kind of care they can afford. Roughly two thirds are satisfied with their furniture and their ability to afford a night out” (Brooks 59). These people are typically Red Americans with that low of incomes. In Blue America you could not survive with a household income that low because gas can be fifty cents higher and houses more than double or triple the cost for the same exact house. Red Americans, even if they are well below the median of national income, think of themselves as people who have. One Red American had this to say about Blue America, “They don’t get to enjoy the beautiful green hillsides, the friendly people, the wonderful church groups and volunteer organizations. They may be nice people and all, but they are certainly not as happy as we are” (Brooks 58) and that is true for whatever reason. Brooks noticed while in Franklin County, a Red America county, which people there can afford anything on sale there. In contrast with Blue America where only very rich people can afford anything they want.

When you look at Red America and Blue America their differences are biggest when it comes down to religion and morals. Brooks described each as, “Red America is traditional, religious, self-disciplined, and patriotic. Blue America is modern, secular, self-expressive, and discomforted by blatant displays of patriotism” (Brooks 59). These stereotypes are very accurate. Red Americans are more likely to be involved in churches and church programs during the week. Brooks mentioned that in Red America local colleges do not schedule classes for Wednesday nights because everyone will be at prayer meetings. In Blue America people are more likely to do whatever they want and not be apart of many organizations or groups. Religious affiliations are not the only differences between the two social groups. Their moral standards and views on others opinions are greatly different also. In an interview with David Rawley, Brooks asked Rawley what he thought of the big-city culture and he said this, “The individual is swallowed up by the largeness of the city. I see a world that doesn’t want to take responsibility for itself. They have the babies but they decide they’re not going to be the daddies. I’d really have to cling to the rock if I lived there” (Brooks 60). It isn’t just Blue America with problems though. Both cultures have the same problems and thus, the same solutions. But when you ask a Red American about abortion they say, “We would never take a stance on gun control or abortion” (Brooks 62). The reason Red Americans are so scared o start controversy in discussing these topics is because they live in smaller communities so the neighbors the argue with they will run into at the store or the gas pump. Because of this many feelings are kept inside and not let out in the open like a more Blue American society would. Blue Americans are much more vocal because they don’t care as