East vs. West: the more things stay the same

Despite the differences between the east and west of our country, there are far more similarities than anything else. Yes, technologically, socially, politically, and geographically, they are necessarily different, yet east and west cooperate and collaborate in many ways.

For example, when you travel outside of either region, you encounter the greater cultural divide of religious dogma. In the west, as in the east, there are many religions represented in many places. They are sometimes segregated, but never in blatant disregard for others. On both coasts, the catholic and jewish faiths are strongly represented. You are as likely to see muslims praying on the sidewalk during certain hours of the day in San Francisco as you are in New York. While I am sure some ethnic prejudices persist, religious freedom is highly celebrated and protected. I hear far more anti-muslim rhetoric on Fox news than I ever do in New York or San Francisco.

Likewise, social mobility is possible in both places, which is another reason why so many ethnicities are drawn to these places. The differences between east and west in this regard are tied to dominant industries (culture and finance in the east, technology and entertainment in the west, food and hospitality in both) but the values are very similar. If you have the persistence and savvy to navigate a robust industry, you can go far, no matter who you are. This is not an attitude shared by many other places, and even in these places, certain careers still depend on who you know. For example, becoming an educator in either place usually means you know someone or that you have a reputation that precedes you. Still, the value of skill and ability is appreciated, sometimes over any other factor.

Finally, in the east and west, we are political allies, even to the point of one-ups-man-ship. Because of the broad cultural landscape in both places, policies of social tolerance and liberal thought are easily translatable. The needs of the young and the elderly are considered, the divisions between classes are largely financial rather than social, different lifestyles and creeds are anticipated and included instead of segregated and silenced, and programs to improve the environment, public health, and public awareness are integrated with the businesses and governments in these regions. This is something we share, or perhaps even actively strive for in order to be competitive in the world as it progresses. These are, at their core, the values of liberalism as they were envisioned by humanists during the enlightenment. People are inherently valuable, yet their differences, even their short-comings, must be accepted and addressed because they are not going away. Sure, the criminal justice systems are still imperfect and not everyone has access to even a few opportunities for advancement, but many do, and that is not an accident.

So, should you be a resident of the east or the west, I encourage you to travel to or even live on the opposite side of this country. The differences will stand out to you far more than the similarities, but you can feel secure in that your beliefs and your being are accepted in both.

-Forest F. White