Strangers in Their Own Land

1. The Great Paradox: Conservative states face more challenges yet resist government aid

Red states are poorer and have more teen mothers, more divorce, worse health, more obesity, more trauma-related deaths, more low-birth-weight babies, and lower school enrollment.

Paradoxical situation. Conservative "red" states in the U.S. face numerous socioeconomic challenges, including higher rates of poverty, health issues, and educational deficits. Ironically, these states are often the most resistant to federal government assistance and regulation.

Root causes. This paradox stems from a complex interplay of factors:

• Historical distrust of federal government intervention
• Strong emphasis on individualism and self-reliance
• Fear of losing cultural identity and traditional values
• Perception that government aid primarily benefits undeserving groups

Consequences. The refusal of federal aid often exacerbates existing problems:

• Underfunded public services and infrastructure
• Limited access to healthcare and education
• Persistent cycles of poverty and inequality

2. Empathy walls divide Americans across political lines

You might say I'd come to Louisiana with an interest in walls. Not visible, physical walls such as those separating Catholics from Protestants in Belfast, Americans from Mexicans on the Texas border, or, once, residents of East and West Berlin. It was empathy walls that interested me.

Invisible barriers. Empathy walls are psychological and emotional obstacles that prevent people from understanding and relating to those with different political views. These walls have become increasingly rigid in American society, leading to a deepening political divide.

Consequences of division:

• Echo chambers reinforcing existing beliefs
• Difficulty in finding common ground on important issues
• Increased polarization and political gridlock

Bridging the gap. To overcome empathy walls, individuals must:

• Actively seek out diverse perspectives
• Practice active listening and genuine curiosity
• Recognize shared human experiences beneath political differences
• Engage in respectful dialogue across ideological lines

3. The deep story: Feeling like strangers in their own land

A deep story is a feels-as-if story—it's the story feelings tell, in the language of symbols. It removes judgment. It removes fact. It tells us how things feel.

Emotional narrative. The "deep story" is a powerful metaphor that explains the emotional underpinnings of conservative political beliefs. It describes a feeling of being left behind and betrayed by a changing society.

Key elements of the conservative deep story:

• Waiting patiently in line for the American Dream
• Feeling others are unfairly cutting in line (minorities, immigrants, etc.)
• Perceiving the government as helping "line-cutters" instead of hard-working people
• Sense of cultural displacement and loss of status
• Resentment towards "coastal elites" who seem to look down on traditional values

Understanding this deep story is crucial for bridging the empathy gap between conservatives and liberals.

4. Environmental pollution: A keyhole issue revealing larger political divides

Louisiana is an extreme example of this paradox. The Measure of America, a report of the Social Science Research Council, ranks every state in the United States on its "human development." Each rank is based on life expectancy, school enrollment, educational degree attainment, and median personal earnings. Out of the 50 states, Louisiana ranked 49th and in overall health ranked last.

Paradoxical attitudes. Louisiana serves as a microcosm for examining the larger political divide over environmental issues. Despite facing severe pollution and health consequences, many residents resist increased regulation of polluting industries.

Factors contributing to this paradox:

• Economic dependence on oil and petrochemical industries
• Distrust of government intervention and regulation
• Cultural values emphasizing individual responsibility and toughness
• Perception that environmental concerns are a "liberal" issue

Broader implications. The environmental debate in Louisiana reflects larger national divisions over:

• Role of government in addressing societal problems
• Balancing economic interests with public health and environmental protection
• Cultural values and identity in shaping political beliefs

5. The social terrain: How industry, state, church, and media shape political views

I was backing into the picture I wanted to see by noticing what wasn't in it. It was like trying to understand a photograph by studying the negative.

Influential institutions. The political views of conservative Americans are shaped by a complex social terrain, including:

• Industry: Providing jobs but often at the cost of environmental degradation
• State government: Often prioritizing business interests over regulation
• Church: Reinforcing traditional values and community bonds
• Media (especially Fox News): Framing issues and reinforcing conservative narratives

Silent influences. Understanding conservative viewpoints requires examining not just what is said, but what is left unsaid or downplayed in these institutions:

• Environmental and health costs of industrial activity
• Role of government in addressing societal problems
• Scientific consensus on issues like climate change
• Structural inequalities and systemic racism

By studying this "negative space," we can better understand the context shaping conservative political beliefs.

6. Endurance as virtue: Different expressions of the deep story self

Janice is already hosting monthly cookouts for the Areno clan. "We had sixty-seven people for a Good Friday cookout," she says proudly. "We have big cookouts at least once a month, twenty-five if you barely mention it, more if you spread the word. If we've got enough food, you eat; if the pots are bare, you didn't get here in time."

Valuing resilience. Many conservatives view endurance in the face of hardship as a core virtue. This manifests in different "deep story selves":

1. The Team Loyalist: Emphasizes loyalty to community, family, and traditional institutions.
2. The Worshipper: Finds strength through religious faith and sacrifice.
3. The Cowboy: Celebrates rugged individualism and toughness.

Cultural context. These deep story selves are rooted in:

• Southern and rural cultural traditions
• Religious values, particularly evangelical Christianity
• Idealization of self-reliance and skepticism of outside help
• Pride in overcoming adversity without government assistance

Understanding these archetypes helps explain resistance to policies perceived as undermining personal responsibility or traditional values.

7. Historical echoes: How the 1860s and 1960s shape modern conservative views

Given our different deep stories, left and right are focused on different conflicts and the respective ideas of unfairness linked to them. The left looks to the private sector, the 1 percent who are in the over-class, and the 99 percent among whom are an emerging under-class. This is the flashpoint for liberals. The right looks to the public sector as a service desk for a growing class of idle "takers."

Lingering influences. Two historical periods profoundly shape modern conservative attitudes, especially in the South:

1. 1860s (Civil War and Reconstruction):

   • Resentment towards federal intervention
   • Idealization of states' rights and local control
   • Complicated relationship with racial issues

2. 1960s (Civil Rights Movement and Cultural Changes):

   • Perception of moral decline and loss of traditional values
   • Backlash against perceived government overreach
   • Anxiety about changing racial and social dynamics

Modern manifestations. These historical influences contribute to:

• Distrust of federal government and "coastal elites"
• Emphasis on states' rights and local control
• Complex attitudes towards race and civil rights
• Nostalgia for an idealized past

Understanding these historical echoes is crucial for comprehending the emotional depth of conservative political beliefs.

8. The power of promise: Donald Trump's appeal to the Tea Party

Trump is an "emotions candidate." More than any other presidential candidate in decades, Trump focuses on eliciting and praising emotional responses from his fans rather than on detailed policy prescriptions. His speeches—evoking dominance, bravado, clarity, national pride, and personal uplift—inspire an emotional transformation.

Emotional resonance. Donald Trump's 2016 campaign tapped into the deep story of many conservatives, particularly Tea Party supporters. His appeal was based on:

• Promising to restore lost status and pride
• Validating feelings of resentment and cultural displacement
• Offering simple solutions to complex problems
• Positioning himself as an outsider fighting the establishment

Beyond policy. Trump's success demonstrates the power of emotional connection in politics:

• Focusing on feelings rather than detailed policy proposals
• Creating a sense of shared identity and belonging
• Promising to "make America great again" by returning to an idealized past
• Providing catharsis for pent-up frustrations and anxieties

Understanding Trump's appeal requires looking beyond traditional political analysis to examine the emotional needs and deep story of his supporters.

Last updated: January 22, 2025