Thoughts on Bloom's 'Observations'

The local and state media are abuzz with reactions about “Observations from 20 Years of Iowa Life,” an Atlantic article written by UI journalism professor Stephen Bloom. I first heard about it while reading Bobblehead’s response and, given the direct link via the P-C, decided to read the article myself.

The purpose of the piece, Bloom wrote, is, in the context of the upcoming Caucus, “to explain to the geographically challenged a little about Iowa, including where Iowa is, and perhaps more importantly, in both a real and metaphysical way, what Iowa is.” He describes the state’s Mississippi River towns as “the skuzziest cities I’ve ever been to,” the political split symbolized by it’s US Senators as “schizophrenia,” and generally characterizes its rural simplicity, homogeneity, and religious and social traditions as backward.

Tim Hagle, an associate professor of political science at the UI, is quoted in the P-C as saying, “It seems to be written by a liberal elitist snob who can’t see anything good about Iowa.” Such has been the gist of the statewide backlash, and I have to say it is well-founded. Bloom’s tone is surprisingly elitist and condescending for a seasoned and skilled journalist, which is my major qualm with the article. But as much as I disliked the generalizations and stereotypes Bloom pandered to, I have to admit the article has some truth to it.

Some Iowans are uncultured, xenophobic, insular bigots. Some are crazy religious fundamentalists. Some are unable to travel and experience life outside of their small, homogeneous communities. There are rough, run-down, poor neighborhoods. There are skuzzy and depressed towns. Thousands of Main Street shops have been vacant since the agricultural crash in the eighties, and Walmart is sometimes the only shopping option. The number of meth addicts overwhelms the underfunded and sparse rural health services. Some drink Busch Light while driving and toss empties out the window. Starved for infrastructure funding, more and more counties have fallen under the spell of casino revenue. Large meat packing plants recruit and exploit children and illegal Latino immigrants. And we have a serious outflow of homegrown talent. I think Bloom especially hit the nail on the head with this:

Those who stay in rural Iowa are often the elderly waiting to die, those too timid (or lacking in educated [sic]) to peer around the bend for better opportunities, an assortment of waste-toids and meth addicts with pale skin and rotted teeth, or those who quixotically believe, like Little Orphan Annie, that "The sun'll come out tomorrow."

Such is the state of rural America, and there is no hiding that fact. It is sometimes not a pretty place. He did not sugarcoat it, and I think that is why many have their panties in a bunch over the article.

Yes, Iowa has problems and shameful elements, and I think Bloom rightly illuminated them. But the way he belittled the state’s citizens and culture — disparaging people living in towns small enough to have one telephone prefix, mocking our accent and unique word choices (“They speak English in Iowa,” he felt needed to assure readers), and writing he has never lived in a place more “foreign” — is uncalled for and tasteless. Frankly, it is blatant intolerance.

Despite having lived in Iowa for almost 20 years (albeit, Iowa City), many are questioning whether Bloom knows anything about the state. Personally, I think he knows more than people are willing to give him credit for in their emotional rebuttals. Instead I think the question should be whether Bloom understands and respects Iowa. The answer is an obvious no.

Small town skylines are dominated by grain elevators, water towers, and church spires. Many Iowans love a good demolition derby. (I have never been to a demo derby with combines, but would love to go.) Many live unostentatiously. In the summer many have farmer’s tans. (I, for one, am guilty.) Homeowners garden and enjoy spring and summer evenings lounging on porch swings or wicker chairs. Vegetables, lemonade, honey, and all kinds of homemade goods are sold in parking lots or markets. Detasseling is a rite of passage in rural communities.

Not everyone has a mudroom, but most living in older homes and farms do. (It is a useful feature.) Many young Iowans are members of the local 4-H club (guilty) or FFA (in rural communities, though I suspect the numbers have dwindled). Many parade their farm animals at county fairs for prizes. (My mom raised prize-winning lambs.) Kings and Queens of various kinds are crowned. (My mom was the Franklin County Pork Queen.) Livestock outnumber people, though, driving through the country, one does not smell the fact as much as in the past. (Probably because the animals have been moved from failing family farms to confinements operated by those who can afford it.)

Many enjoy hunting, fishing, and camping. Many go to a church of one kind or another, usually of Christian denomination. Almost all of us graduate from high school and many have advanced degrees. And I learned by example to answer the phone with a “Hello” followed by our family name.

We have potlucks with Jell-O salads, casseroles, and meatloaf. (I have never heard of Red Waldorf cake.) Farming is a dangerous job and it sometimes costs farmers their fingers, health, and lives. People eat deer sausage (it is pretty good) and collect postcards, figurines, and all sorts of whatnot. We drink “pop” and play “putt-putt.”

For the most part, that encompasses a wide cross-section of Iowa. That is who Iowans are. That is our culture, and Bloom really has a problem with it. Why? Because he seems to be an intolerant, liberal, East Coast elitist. Instead of respecting our quirks and accepting them as part of who we are, he resorted to angering hallmarks of the far right: prejudice and narrow-mindedness.

Conveniently overlooked in the article? The fact Iowans caucused for Obama in large numbers and gave him all seven of their Electoral votes in 2008. What say you about that, Professor Bloom?