Newsweek is focusing this week’s edition on the changing and yet somehow unchanging nature of America’s South, where the shadow of the Civil War still looms large even in the 21st century. The cover story is truly compelling. Something about the South reminds me of my native Iron Range. Not necessarily the racial strife, though there is some of that, but the inability of the culture to forget historical scars. I talk about this in the book (“Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range” due out this October), but that’s neither here nor there.
Modern Life in Northern Minnesota
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Aaron J. Brown, author
I'm AB. I live in the woods of the Iron Range. I write about the people, news and culture of Northern Minnesota. I host a radio show, teach college and raise kids. More
Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range
By Aaron Brown A 21st century memoir of a place and a people: (Buy now on Amazon) -- The Iron Range is a string of blue collar towns along an iron formation in northern Minnesota, many of which ... Read More →
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The Great Northern Radio Show features music, comedy & stories about modern life off the beaten path: Written, produced & hosted by Aaron J. Brown with a talented supporting cast and Minnesota musicians and guests. Each episode broadcasts from a different location. The next Great Northern Radio Show is Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 at 5 ... Read More →
Pam Brunfelt, Vermilion Community College history instructor who has researched and written extensively on the history of the Iron Range (for your readers who may not recognize her name), recently told me that she feels it is not only important for the rest of the U.S. to understand the Iron Range and it’s place in U.S. history, but it is important for those who live here as well. When dozens of educators from across the U.S. visited the Iron Range this past month to learn about us, Pam said she detected a distinct ambivalence among our own residents in regard to our history. It may take a few more generations, but someday, perhaps, the historical (emotional) scars will be forgotten, though the physical will always remain on the Range. The question, it seems, is, Should we forget? I look forward to reading your book, and your answer to this question.
Thanks for the comment, Jean.
Funny you should mention Pam because I interviewed her early on for the book. Her perspective was invaluable to many of the observations I would go on to make as I wrote it.
Thanks again.