In September and October Cindy and I were on the ground in several flyover states. We drove 13,000 miles experiencing a bit of the diversity and commonality that makes up this country. Our focus was more on natural beauty and historical significance than an examination of culture. But we did see a lot of people. I recall commenting to Cindy at one point that in restaurants we were ending up within listening distance of people with conservative viewpoints. 

Our route included some of the two-lane roads that pass farms, trailer parks, and one-street towns. I referred to these roads as "where the real people live." We also saw where the real people live in St. Louis, Chicago, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and more. We saw the people who took our food order and those who would be cleaning our room after we checked out of the hotel. And we saw people who have resorted to asking for a hand out and I tried to avoid eye contact.

I'm thinking this morning about "flyover people" at the same time that I see a map with red "flyover states." Last night I barely caught a Chris Matthews comment on MSNBC. He was saying something about a demographic that he characterized as parents concerned about whether their children would "get into Sidwell Friends." It caught my attention because of the Friends (Quaker) reference and it made me think about the dichotomy of a school with the Friends name being identified as elitist. 

I identify with the two coasts more than the middle of the country. But this morning I'm thinking about how, as a follower of Jesus, I'm called to give more attention to marginalized people.