Through that mysterious wormhole that is the Internet, I happened upon (for the first time) this 2005 article penned by Charles Coulombe about why, despite his conservative values, he cannot abide leaving the city:
Here are its basic symptoms: on the one hand, my politics are firmly fixed on the right. So far as I am concerned, abortion is murder, gay marriage is an exercise in insanity, government supervision of my every move is dictatorship, and taxes are just too bloody high. Gun control is simply a way of disarming the citizenry, and the declining birth—rate will destroy social security and beggar us all. So too, on a more a—political plane, I prefer the Tridentine Mass to the new one, and wish women wore hats to church. So ——— perhaps I should move to Kansas or Texas?
By no means! Because while my convictions might land me in the rural Midwest or South, my aesthetic tastes keep me firmly bound to the liberal enclaves of the West Coast and the North—East. Where in Odessa, Texas or Manhattan, Kansas would I find the Thai restaurants, Korean barbecues or Shabu—Shabu houses I crave? The theater, and opera? The huge libraries and architecture that feed my soul?
Even my religious needs are better served in cities than in the country: most large cities (save Los Angeles) have at least one ‘liturgical parish,’ where Tridentine Masses are offered, or at least Gregorian Chant, Polyphony, and/or orchestral Masses are served up. Even in the L.A. area, I can still take in a weekly Tridentine Mass, or else a liturgy from one of the innumerable Eastern Rites established here (Coptic, Melkite, Maronite, Ukrainian, Ruthenian, and many, many more). In the great Red Zone, you are stuck with whatever the local priest gives you, and however conservative the feelings of the communicants may be, they will have to make do, often enough, with clown Masses and altar girls.
Again, there are certainly plenty of good and decent folks who would say, “And you can have it; I’ll be at the ranch.” That’s fine. But there’s a lot to be said for being close to (if not necessarily in) an urban center, and personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ll be honest: Coulombe’s essay resonates with me too. I miss those aspects of city life. Hence we must travel 25 miles to the nearest “big city” of 90,000 for church, concerts, music lessons, and anything resembling a social life. There are lots of good, salt-of-the-earth people here in our little town, but we don’t have enough in common with them to really belong … yet.
Small town and country life isn’t what it used to be - or ought to be. The small-town “brain drain” is a recent phenomenon. If you read a small-town newspaper of 50 or 75 years ago, you’ll find much more “culture” and a much richer social life than is available today. Orland once had its own college. Orland once had its own opera house. Orland once had huge festivals that brought the whole town together. Today we have more people but little support for such things. I’m involved with groups trying to elevate the cultural life of Orland - we’ve got a new art gallery, a new gazebo in the park, etc. - but for 90% of the people here, country music, car racing, and 4H/FFA are sufficient for their cultural appetites.
The problem that Coulombe overlooks is that big cities are not the same either. All of the benefits he describes now come with huge costs for families. Furthermore there is no reason why such advantages could not also return to the small towns of America. Why not try to restore some of these advantages to a little town in which you do not have to swim so hard against the tide of public immorality?
I think very large cities have more such problems.
Certainly, St. Louis, not a particularly large city, has a vibrant Catholic culture that could not be matched in a rural town.
Now, I also think that the Europeans know (or knew) how to do small towns better than we. Early histories of St. Louis show that even colonial outposts could have a vibrant culture.
Although if I had a family, I’m sure that I would flee the city.
Mark,
I remember during my semester abroad in Austria recognizing the difference between a small town in Europe and a small town in the U.S.A.
First of all, in much of Europe, small towns are centered around the Catholic parish, not the local Baptist church.
Secondly, most of the shops are closed on Sundays.
Third, on major feast/holy days, it wasn’t uncommon to see a parade or procession through town, led by the parish priest. (And Austria is only 3% Catholic these days.)
I saw the same thing in Mexico - leading up to the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe, processions, parades, marathons - all featuring the image of Our Lady - wound their way through countless small towns and villages. I took a road trip from Steubenville to Mexico City one year for the feast day. What an adventure.
I’d take it more seriously if more of my friends in big cities when I visit didn’t start conversations with “you know, I haven’t been to the [fill in the blank of cultural institution] since the last time you dragged me.
Restaurants - eh - learn to cook.
Liturgy - eh - get a little inwardness.
For me, big cities are for vacations.
I live in the country, and I’m going insane with boredom.