Tuesday, July 20, 2010
I have spent a large majority of the past eight weeks trying to convince people that Kansas isn’t a terrible place to live.
This summer, I’ve been interning in Los Angeles and, after telling people that I’m from Kansas, have been the recipient of mixed responses, ranging from laughter to downright horror.
I’ve actually had to clarify a surprising number of times that, no, I did not grow up on a farm and that I do not own a horse (although I did ask for one for my ninth birthday).
Being a Kansas native, I’ve become accustomed to the stigma that being from the state often has once you venture outside of the Midwest. But, quite frankly, the inquiries to the location of my ruby-red slippers and any other stereotypical and unoriginal Wizard of Oz comments are getting downright insulting.
Within my first few days at work, I quickly became “the intern from Kansas,” and was soon patronized with questions about my adjustment to life in the “big city.” I tried, without much success, to convince people that L.A. wasn’t too overwhelming and, in all honesty, not that different than Kansas City aside from the traffic and easy beach access.
Outside of work, I had a conversation with a guy who, after talking to me for a few minutes, had the nerve to say, “Wow, for a girl from Kansas you’re a whole lot faster than I thought you would be.”
Seriously?
In my time here I’ve met a significant amount of Californians who know who the Jayhawks are. But even those who were both aware of and impressed by the KU basketball team (C’mon, how could they not be?) were hard-pressed to believe that Kansas is a fun place to go to school, much less grow up.
I’ve given up on convincing people that Kansas is fun— it’s a fruitless waste of my time and I’ve accepted that most people won’t have the same appreciation as I do for my home state. I’ve embraced the stereotype and have even had some fun with it. I was actually able to convince someone that growing up, I road a horse to school and sometimes, if my pa let me, drove the tractor.
But while I can take the occasional Kansas joke with good humor, I do have my limits. The next person who calls me Dorothy is getting a house dropped on their ass.
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Comments
Larrabee: Kansas — as stereotyped as you think
I'm interning in Philadelphia and having the exact same experience.
Larrabee: Kansas — as stereotyped as you think
Kate:
I hear your frustration with out-of-staters and especially coastline people on the anti-Kansas, anti-Midwest stereotypes. Most of my friends and relatives live on the coasts. However, they aren't the only ones perpetuating anti-Kansas silliness.
When I moved here from New York City, even Kansans gave me a hard time about why I would ever come here on purpose.
Larrabee: Kansas — as stereotyped as you think
Great article. I'm interning out in the LA area as well and can definitely relate to your experiences.
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