As a Texan the Texas chapter rings loud and true. As a vegetarian I know first hand the detective work one must employ to find the right food when away from home. Rose's recall about this particular angst on the road is unadulterated.
The author finds that people in all states tend to listen to and believe everything the talking heads on the right spout, namely Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh. No surprise there. But the woman who nails the country sentiment is found in the Mississippi chapter on page 119: “I change. I got with what I think is right. I’m liberal on some things and conservative on others.” Is this centrism defined? It would seem so especially in light of the recent passing of Proposition 8 in liberal California.
In the final two chapters on Oklahoma and Montana, Rose and her husband uncover both racism and deep-seated Native American poverty. It is hidden. During her journey Katrina happens and the knell of that event is not lost on them. The now-visible poverty and desperation of New Orleans people fleeing Katrina to all-white states, where she is conducting her interviews, is juxtaposed with the invisible poverty already extant in those states. She did not know the outcome when it was unfolding but we know now that many whites, rich and poor alike, opened both their hearts and homes to black and brown Katrina survivors. This book predates Obamamania but echoes of change fill every heart chamber that Rose encounters.
Red Highways ends its believable journey with the Native Americans of Montana and the deep poverty witnessed along the way. It left this reviewer wanting more chapter and verse about the people of this land and these four states.
Finally, as a fellow political blogger I highly recommend this highly readable travelogue that shatters stereotypes. Politicos, progressives and conservatives as well as sociologists and anthropologists will enjoy the riches of words and the profound insights that regular people offer to perfect strangers who politely ask their opinion on an often taboo subject - themselves.
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