Whether due to real or perceived differences, Americans see each other differently depending on whether they live in rural, suburban or urban communities. The conclusion drawn from the near-constant polling, media commentary and academic analysis of the past two years is that America is culturally divided by its geography. In 2019 and 2020, Indiana Humanities has invited Hoosiers to dig into these divides, exploring how Hoosiers relate to each other across boundaries and considering what it will take to indeed be inseparable, in all the ways that matter.
During the past two years, INseparable has addressed the ways we’re the same and the ways we’re different; how we benefit from working together and when we’re fine on our own; the barriers we build and the ways we look beyond our differences; the progress we’ve made and our persistence to endure.
We have explored how Hoosiers and Americans have thought about urban, suburban and rural differences over time and what we think about them today. We have sparked conversations about the ways in which the futures of urban, rural and suburban Hoosiers are linked and what might be preventing us from working together.
As a proven convener and conversation starter, Indiana Humanities has pushed Hoosiers to look beyond the demographics of the urban-suburban-rural divides to consider the people behind the data. With programming that facilitates discussion, self-examination and fresh perspectives, Indiana Humanities has sought to help residents from all settings cross boundaries and gather to explore the opportunities and challenges we share.