Being a Refugee from the Rural Midwest: Unveiling the Layers of MAGA Culture

Growing up in rural Ohio has given me insights into the MAGA culture that many will never understand. They rarely give up their secrets because, in their hearts, they know they are wrong.

Photo by Tyler Pruitt on Unsplash

Only a fellow refugee from the rural heartland can understand the culture of control and compliance required.

Non-conformity is not an option.

Growing up in rural Ohio, I experienced a way of life that was vastly different from urban or coastal environments.

The landscapes were dotted with farms, the pace of life was slower, and the community felt tight-knit. However, amidst the picturesque scenery and genuine camaraderie, there was an undeniable undercurrent that many outsiders struggled to grasp: the MAGA culture.

For those who hadn't lived in it, this political culture's ideologies and beliefs frequently felt opaque and difficult to understand.

The Rural Experience

Life in rural Ohio was characterized by simplicity.

Neighbors knew each other by name, and there was a prevailing sense of community solidarity…