Zip Codes Matter

 While watching some t.v. last night , a political ad popped up urging me to vote for a particular candidate whose vision included a unified ,single minded view of what America is about.

Hogwash, I thought to myself.

This is exactly what politicians don't understand.

It's not about race ,religion, or gender.

It's not about education or financial circumstances.

It's about zip codes!

Our zip codes have more to say about who we are and how we think than anything else.

Our zip codes influence how we eat, how we speak, how we dress and just about every other choice we make.

These are major differences that can not be ignored depending on the zip code you were born, raised or live in.

In fact, they should be honored and held in the highest regard, not set aside as some "regional" coloring of one's world view.

Our foods are different.

Our thoughts are different.

Our needs and desires are different.

I'm an 07652.

I have been for just about my entire life.

Oh sure I was born as an 10012 but I moved before I was 7 years old. I hardly remember life as a 10012.

I also spent a number of years as an 08560 and an 07866. I have fond memories of both, however, in my heart, I am still an 07652.

I can't help it. They say that you are what you eat.

In 07652, we eat heroes.

That makes me a hero.

When I was in 08560 they ate hoagies.

Do I really see myself as a hoagie?

I don't think so!

Winter is coming.

That means something completely different to an 05405 than it does for an 85001.

You see, zip codes matter!

We are people, individuals, who grew up and live in different zip codes with different tastes. likes, dislikes and mindsets.

We can't all be the same.

I once thought it was good enough to be identified as a 201 (area code)

The cell phone destroyed that notion.

It made area codes portable.

When I call someone from my cell phone they get the notion that I am a 516.

That's preposterous!

My phone may be a 516 , but I certainly am not.

I am definitely a 201 , but to be more precise, I am an 07652.

We are people, not bananas.

Bananas all look alike.

However, the banana that we all now eat and call a banana is nothing like the banana that existed 150 years ago.

Those bananas tasted different and smelled different.

To make them more globally accessible, bananas were modified, changed so that everyone could eat bananas.

Today's banana tastes nothing like what the original banana tasted like.

That's what happens when we try to be the same for everyone.

It destroys the flavors, the aroma, the essence of the thing.

We are not fast food.

We are regional cuisines, each and everyone of us.

I don't want to be a banana.

I want to be a person.

I want my values and views as an 07652 to be accepted and understood.

I don't want to be a 90210.

Until you can see me as the person I am, an 07652, then we will never be able to find understanding for each other.

Zip codes matter!