The View from Flyover Country

The View from Flyover Country is a collection of essays written by Sarah Kendzior, a St. Louis-based author and journalist, which explores the lives and experiences of people living in the Midwest and other parts of America often overlooked by the East Coast and West Coast elites. The book is a reflection of the author's own experiences growing up in Missouri and her observations of the 2016 United States presidential election, which saw Donald Trump win the presidency with significant support from Rust Belt states like Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Kendzior's work has been compared to that of other authors and journalists, including Nicholas Kristof, Sarah Kendzior's contemporary, and Barack Obama, who has written extensively on the experiences of African Americans in Chicago and other Midwestern cities. The book has also been influenced by the works of Thomas Frank, who has written about the Kansas populist movement and the Tea Party movement.

● Introduction to Flyover Country

The concept of Flyover Country refers to the regions of the United States that are often ignored or overlooked by the coastal elites, including the Midwest, the Great Plains, and parts of the South. This region is home to cities like Detroit, Cleveland, and St. Louis, which have experienced significant economic decline and population loss in recent decades. The 2016 United States presidential election highlighted the divisions between Flyover Country and the coastal states, with Donald Trump winning support from many voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Authors like J.D. Vance and Hillbilly Elegy have written about the experiences of people living in Appalachia and other parts of Flyover Country, while journalists like Glenn Greenwald and Sarah Kendzior have reported on the NSA surveillance and FBI investigations that have affected people in these regions.

● Definition and Usage

The term Flyover Country is often used to describe the parts of the United States that are not considered to be part of the East Coast or West Coast elites. This region includes states like Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska, which are often associated with agriculture and rural life. The term has been used by authors like Michael Lind and Robert Reich to describe the economic and cultural divisions between different parts of the country. It has also been used by politicians like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to describe the need for greater investment and support for rural areas and small towns. The concept of Flyover Country has been influenced by the works of Geoffrey Canada, who has written about the experiences of African Americans in Harlem and other urban areas, and Arne Duncan, who has worked to improve education in Chicago and other Midwestern cities.

● Cultural and Socioeconomic Context

The cultural and socioeconomic context of Flyover Country is complex and diverse, reflecting the experiences of people from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The region is home to many Native American communities, including the Navajo Nation and the Cherokee Nation, which have their own distinct cultures and traditions. It is also home to many African American communities, including those in Detroit, Chicago, and St. Louis, which have been shaped by the experiences of slavery, segregation, and civil rights movement. The region has been influenced by the works of authors like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin, who have written about the experiences of African Americans in America. It has also been shaped by the music of artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, who have written about the lives and struggles of people in Flyover Country.

● Historical Background

The historical background of Flyover Country is marked by significant events and trends, including the Louisiana Purchase, the California Gold Rush, and the Great Migration. The region has been shaped by the experiences of pioneers and settlers, who moved westward in search of land and opportunity. It has also been influenced by the Civil War and the Reconstruction era, which had a profound impact on the South and the Midwest. The region has been home to many significant events and movements, including the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Flint sit-down strike, which were led by labor unions and civil rights activists. The historical background of Flyover Country has been written about by authors like Howard Zinn and Doris Kearns Goodwin, who have explored the experiences of people from different social classes and ethnic backgrounds.

● Impact and Relevance

The impact and relevance of Flyover Country are significant, reflecting the region's importance in American politics and economy. The region is home to many swing states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, which have played a crucial role in recent presidential elections. The region has also been affected by significant economic trends, including the decline of manufacturing and the rise of the service sector. The impact of Flyover Country has been felt in the works of authors like Thomas Piketty and Joseph Stiglitz, who have written about the income inequality and economic instability that have affected people in the region. The region has also been influenced by the policies of politicians like Barack Obama and Donald Trump, who have sought to address the economic and social challenges facing Flyover Country.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The concept of Flyover Country has been subject to criticisms and controversies, reflecting the complexities and nuances of the region. Some authors, like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, have argued that the term Flyover Country is too broad and simplistic, failing to capture the diversity and complexity of the region. Others, like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, have used the term to promote a conservative agenda and to criticize the liberal elites. The criticisms and controversies surrounding Flyover Country reflect the ongoing debates and discussions about the American identity and the future of the country. The region has been influenced by the works of authors like Rebecca Solnit and Naomi Klein, who have written about the environmental movement and the social justice movement, and have sought to promote a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of Flyover Country.