Bridging the Gap Between Rural Identity and Politics: The Story of Kristin Lunz Trujillo

Kristin Lunz Trujillo: Bridging the Gap Between Rural Identity and Politics

Kristin Lunz Trujillo’s childhood was deeply rooted in her family’s farming lifestyle, where summers were spent preparing cattle for county fairs and school days were followed by caring for chickens on their corn and soybean farm in Minnesota. Her decision to attend Carleton, a liberal arts college near her hometown, marked a significant step towards higher education, supported by her non-college-educated parents.

Upon entering college, Ms. Lunz Trujillo felt a cultural gap between her rural upbringing and the environment at Carleton. Joining the farm club, she was surprised to find members more interested in brewing kombucha than tending to cows. In an art history class, she hesitated to share her experiences as she had never visited an art museum. These experiences sparked her interest in researching rural identity and its influence on political beliefs.

Now an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, Ms. Lunz Trujillo’s work focuses on understanding how rural identity shapes political attitudes. Her research gained attention when it was referenced in the best-selling book “White Rural Rage” by Paul Waldman and Tom Schaller. However, the book’s portrayal of rural America as harboring potential threats to democracy left Ms. Lunz Trujillo disheartened.

Published in February, “White Rural Rage” was met with criticism from rural scholars, including Ms. Lunz Trujillo, who viewed it as a negative depiction of rural communities. In a Newsweek opinion piece, she criticized the book for promoting distrust by vilifying those with differing backgrounds. The discourse surrounding the book highlighted the complexities of rural identity and the need for nuanced understanding in political discussions.