My neighborhood, East Nashville, feels like the perfect microcosm of America

What is the perfect microcosm of America? The place you bring a visitor that would let them sample the diverse qualities of a big place in a small, visitable place. Think Epcot World Showcase in Disneyworld.

In a big city, but not in a Big city
If I were in New York or DC; those cities' importance and personalities would dominate at the expense of the rest of the country.




In a city, but in a village within the city
East Nashville has the proximity to the city (jobs, stadium, venues, restaurants, services); but the Cumberland river creates an enclosed community that causes daily life for East Nashvillians to stay more local.

The schools are bad
Perfect example for America.

Captures the religious flavor of the whole country
Nashville will give you the ache of "Christless Christianity"-- the bad feeling you have when christians seem to be everywhere, and are less compassionate and reasonable than secularists and atheists.

All four seasons
Los Angeles would be too consistently sunny, and Chicago cold too long. In Nashville each season has it's right place and comes at the right time.

The poverty is hard
America has a large class of people who rely on the state for support. Poverty really sucks, and it's here in East Nashville.

The "blue state" village within a "red state"
Red State = Only Alabama and Alaska voted more strongly for McCain than Tennessee.
Blue State = When I was in a church meeting in East Nashville, we introduced ourselves by name and home state. The most popular home state, by far, was California. Then Michigan, Tennessee and Ohio.

East Nashville has both flavors of American zeal-- red, white and blue patriotism; and "Yes we can!" Obama optimism.

Conclusion
I thought of this post idea as I was imagining living in other countries, and became thankful to God for where I do live and how it captures the diverse American experience in a small visitable place.