Jan 18, 2022

On December 16, 2021, at 10 o’clock at night, my husband and I embarked on a journey, cramming our lives into a Volvo station wagon as we bid farewell to our Alameda, California home. The movers had swept through the house the day before, leaving remnants on the sidewalk. A quick stop at Walgreens marked the beginning of our adventure to our new home in Helena, Montana.

Montana, the destination of my husband’s new job, wasn’t a decision made lightly. After contemplating leaving the bustling San Francisco Bay Area for years due to its exorbitant cost of living, we sought a change. Friends remarked about an inevitable “culture shock” from California’s liberal embrace to Montana’s conservative stance.

Curiosity led me to ponder: what divides us in the face of varying cultures? This move, not exotic but culturally distinct, prompted self-reflection. Despite sharing a language, currency, and national holidays, Montana’s culture hinted at discomfort.

The title of this post, “Culture Chronicles,” delves into the myriad definitions of culture. For me, culture embodies how a community functions, shaping values and survival tactics. It dictates what we do in our spare time and structures our surroundings. Culture is deeply personal.

Unpacking My Own Culture

Let me share a glimpse into my culture. Raised by first-born Americans in the Jewish faith and Bronx culture, I inherited their urban, intellectual disposition. Stanford beckoned my father in the mid-’60s, steering us westward. Our San Francisco home resonated with academia, adorned with shelves of books. Choosing city life over suburban comfort, my father commuted for 25 years.

Having never strayed far from a coast, living within 20 miles of major hubs, and embracing a car-free lifestyle, my urban, intellectual, and Jewish identity defines me. Ice cream, a vital indulgence.

Confronting Cultural Privilege in Montana

Now, in Montana, I confront my cultural privilege. What have I taken for granted in California? What do Montanans embrace? How do these unspoken assumptions shape our lives and perspectives?

As we navigate Montana’s cultural landscape, I share my daily reflections in the “Culture Chronicles.” Join me on this exploration and discovery.