In the essay "One Nation, Slightly Divisible" David Brooks argues that despite that fact that America contains individuals with different political, cultural and economic believes, it is still one nation. Brooks examines America’s cultural division after the 2000 election differentiating between blue and red states. Brooks diagnoses the situation of the massive American nation. This author likens two counties namely Maryland Montgomery, which is his home base and is categorized among the blue states and Pennsylvania Franklin, which he rates as a red county in found in a blue state.
Brook explains that he visits Pennsylvania Franklin region because he yearns to understand how deep the division is. Brook talks of his leisurely drive to visit the other America across. He explains the differences between the two regions for instance he states that blue America contains lots of Thai restaurants while red America has many churches. He adds that people in Blue America live in small farms while those in Blue America reside in big towns. He also states that individuals in blue America use motors to do everything while those in red America do not use motors. Brooks explores in detail what can be termed as social status. According to Brooks, people in red America are racist and everyone knows or at least thinks about that.
Brooks argues that the cultural differences between the two counties; Maryland Montgomery and Pennsylvania Franklin are actually enormous though the geographical distance is relatively small. Brooks believes that the two regions are not perfect. Brooks acknowledges that the differences that the two counties exhibit also reflect the condition nationwide. The differences between the two counties according to this author, suggest the kind of differences that can be perceived countrywide. Moreover Brooks states that the manner in which red America perceives social differences is difference from the way blue America views these distinctions. Brooks explains that there is a big difference for instance between those people who live on hills in Franklin county with those who live in valleys in the same region. According to this author, the cultures of these two groups are too dissimilar. Brooks also highlights the ethnic differences in the two counties.
He recognizes the fact that the population in red America is majorly composed of whites as compared to that in blue America. The population in blue America comprises of diverse ethnic groups such as African Americans and Hispanics. Brook observes that although the country is growing diverse, it is doing so majorly in particular regions. Brooks also note that the second big difference in these two counties is the level of education. He observes that a large percentage of adults have college degrees in Montgomery as compared to Franklin county where most adults only have high school diplomas. Brooks also observes that the difference in education levels among individuals in the two counties extends to children as well.
Brooks suggest that individuals in Montgomery might just be earning more than those in Franklin County. He refers to estimates which reveal that the average income for each household in Montgomery is slightly over one hundred dollars. In Franklin County on the other hand the average household income is estimated to be slightly above fifty one dollars. Brooks acknowledges one main point amid the cultural, economic and political differences in the various areas which is the unity that still prevails among the American people.
