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Chicago is also a very politically liberal, far left city, the home of the Obamas, Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, Lori Lightfoot, Rahm Emmanuels all of whom are far left and extreme vs mainstream America.
None of those individuals are "far left" or "extreme."
Chicago is iconically American but not typical. If we want a typical American city, we need to consider something like Kansas City, Sacramento, Louisville, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, or someplace called Springfield (pick one).
Chicago is iconically American but not typical. If we want a typical American city, we need to consider something like Kansas City, Sacramento, Louisville, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, or someplace called Springfield (pick one).
In my opinion, nowhere outside the Midwest can truly be considered ‘typical’ in a strict sense.
I have always heard Chicago described as the most American big city. Definitely not generally described as foreign. I agree with those who say the OP's initial premise is wrong.
It's certainly more "traditionally American" than NYC, D.C or L.A. Probably more so than most sun belt cities as well.
Chicago is iconically American but not typical. If we want a typical American city, we need to consider something like Kansas City, Sacramento, Louisville, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, or someplace called Springfield (pick one).
Milwaukee is basically Chicago Lite.
Chicago seems typical enough, but different as well.
Typical could be almost anything anywhere in a country like this.
Chicago is iconically American but not typical. If we want a typical American city, we need to consider something like Kansas City, Sacramento, Louisville, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, or someplace called Springfield (pick one).
This is correct. Chicago is no longer--if it ever was at all--demonstrative of American life in general. But its history, cultural appeal, architecture, and on and on are at the heart of Americana. So, yes, Chicago feels different than Omaha or whatever. But the idea that it's somehow a kind of European burg or something is flabbergasting--the rest of the world is nothing like Chicago.
Chicago isn't a hotbed of far left at all. San Francisco policies aren't a thing there. Obama is a good example of center left, and obviously very mainstream given he won two presidencies (popular vote included).
It's kinda international. Both the city and county were a little over 20% foreign-born in 2020, above the national average but not like the LA/NY types.
Chicago's not even really that international. It ranks something like 20th among the top 50 metros in terms of foreign born population as a percentage. It's far below LA, NYC, SF, Houston, etc. and actually ends up closer to Denver than LA and NYC. Part of its appeal I suppose is the whole Americana shtick Chicago provides in lieu of being a truly global city.
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