Andrew Straight

UWRT
Major Assignment #3
3/27/2017

Reestablishment of Neolocalism and the American

Identity

Proposal:
Our American identity is the product of the environment we live in and
the people we associate with and what better explains this other than
Neolocalism. The Neolocalism movement in the United States is the result of
Americans and their unhappiness with America economics, industrialization,
and inconsistencies in products or service, and the desire to reestablishment
of individual culture identities. The question I hope to answer is in
comparison with the national American Identity how much does neolocalism
and its influence play with the cultivation of our individual American Identity.
Through my research, I hope to gain a better understanding of the
Neolocalism Movement, what exactly is Neolocalism and what does it entail,
and what culturally ideas are dominant in the communities partaking in this
movement. I hypothesis that after my research I will gain insight on the key
factors that go into our local identity that aid in correlation with our national
identity in the creation of our independent, individual American Identity. I
know little of this topic but I do utilize some the Neolocal beliefs by buying
goods from my local community choosing to be a patronage of theirs over
big industries and corporations.

Annotated Bibliography

1.) Citation
Schnell, Steven M. "Deliberate Identities: Becoming Local in America in a
Global Age." Journal of Cultural Geography. 30.1 (2013): 55-89. Print.

Abstract
 The microbrewed beer, the locally grown tomato, and the small local
bookshop have become the equivalent of the flag or the national anthem of
this new localism, symbols of this new local identity. Schnell states that
Neolocalism is the creation of identity dependent on the factor of geography
and local culture. This is self-conscience decision to refrain from global
industrialism and economics in support of local communities. This is a
movement that started roughly 40 years ago and has gained support
because of the desire people to establish a connection with a geographical
place. This is done through the advent of microbrewers, CSAs, support of
local companies, and farmers markets. Schnell believes that Neolocalism
helps establish ones identity through the regional lore and local
attatchment.

Credibility:
The article "Deliberate Identities: Becoming Local in America in a
Global Age." Is credible to me since it is a peer reviewed article. Schnell also
presents an unbiased opinion by researching both the benefit and the
negatives of Neolocalism and the types of people likely to partake in this
movement. Steven M. Schnell is also a Professor of Geology at the Kutztown
University, though geology isnt the only factor in the research Schnell does
an excellent job presenting research from numerous outlets forming an
unbiased presentation of facts. Since Schnell is a Professor of Geology I
assume he has a preconception that location plays a significant factor in or
personal identity though it isnt transparent in this article.

Evaluation:
I agree with Schnells overall opinion on Neolocalism and its success is
the result of people in an industrial technological society wanting to feel a
connection with their local communities, an emotional attachment not
obtainable by technology. I also agree with Schnell when he talks about the
assumption that everything is healthier based on the locality of the product
or service. He discusses towards the end of the article that this isnt always
true and that local farmers like large companies manipulate regulations that
cause negative effects on the consumer due in part because of cutting
corners for price or lack of knowledge.
Connection:

2.) Citation:
Zelinsky, Wilbur. Not Yet a Placeless Land: Tracking an Evolving American
Geography. Amherst: U of Massachusetts, 2011. Web.
 Abstract:
In this book Zelinsky talks about how America from an outward
perspective looks uniform and homogeneous culturally, politically, and
economically but on a smaller scale we are a state of diversity made up of
many small communities based on geography, cultural and racial
differences, and social class standings. This leads to the development of
communities centering on themselves independent from outside influence
and creating a neolocal society. The creation of a neolocal society gives
people a sense of place, identity, and uniqueness and is applicable in both
small rural communities as well as larger metropolitan centers. This allows
for like-minded people to center themselves around others similar to them
on topics like economics, politics, religion, and agriculture.

Credibility:
Wilbur Zelinsky is an American culture geographer and the creator of the
Zelinsky Model of Demographic Transition and was a professor at Penn State
University where he recently became a professor of emeritus. This book is
the work of a lifetime of research that resulted in proving his other works and
theories wrong.

Evaluation:
I did not read the entire book only excerpt of his work but from the parts I
read I fully agree with his position and his finding. Humans are a species that
group things by nature so it makes perfect sense for people to localize and
create communities with others that share their same values and
perspectives. The only part I disagree with is his position that government
creates uniformity, I think in theory it does the exact opposite. The idea that
society is back tracking to the ways of old and adapting once again practice
of localism makes sense to me. People want to establish an identity that is
unique to them and with the availability of technology and communication
people for the most part have become uniform. The establishment of an
identity on a neolocal scale can still incorporate modern technology while
still giving a person the feeling of individuality.

Connection:
 3.) Citation:
Allen, P. and Hinrichs, C. 2007. Buying into buy local: engagements of
United States local food initiatives. In Alternative food geographies, Edited
by: Maye, D., Holloway, L. and Kneafsey, M. 195200. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Abstract:
In this chapter from Buying into buy local: engagements of United
States local food initiatives Allen talks about the creation of the FTN (Fair
Trade Networks) and its effect it has had on Americans in their pursuit for
food that is more palatable through ethics. This resulted in the consumer
becoming more aware of where their products are coming from and the
types of hardship that framers and laborers face to give us the consumer
high quality products at a low price. The development of the FTN paved the
way for the buy local movement allowing local farmers to provide more of
their goods to local stores. This in return was marketed to the consumer as
being more ethical alternative to commercialized stores where all they cared
about was the dollar sign and nothing about the workers conditions. This
lead to the boycott of major retail store like Walmart, Starbucks, and Nestle
and help set the foundation for neolocalism.
Credibility:
The authors of this book all work for numerous research groups that are
currently researching the topic of FTNs and the effect FTNs have on the
global economy. Damian Maye is a professor at the University of
Gloucestershire, E. Melanie DuPuis is a professor at Pace University, and
Michael K. Goodman is a professor at the University of Reading. The research
that is presented in this book is the from a global perspective and global
conglomerates.

Evaluation:
This chapter from the book was very interesting and gave me a unique
perspective on why Americans and other countries are resorting to the use of
local resources. I remember reading about the Starbucks protests that was
the result of the consumers finding out about the conditions of the workers
and the price they were getting paid in comparison to the price that
Starbucks retails their coffee for. This show that not only is the neolocal
movement a localized movement but instead takes into the consideration
the ethical practices of large corporations and holds them accountable for
the products being sold to the consumer. This creates a ubiquitous influence
of betterment that is felt locally, nationally, and globally.

Connection:
 This book draws connection with the previous citations in that neolocalism
isnt just a local factor dependent solely on local citizens rather it is the result
of globalization due to product quality and ethics

4.) Citation:
Writer, Marc Gunther Fortune Senior. "'Small-Marts' Take on Wal-Mart - Aug.
30, 2006."Fortune Plugged-In: 'Small-Marts' Take on Wal-Mart - Aug. 30,
2006. Fortune, 30 Aug. 2006. Web. 04 Apr. 2017.

Abstract:
This article discusses the fight between small business and large
conglomerates by raising the awareness of the availability of local food
resources. Before globalization of markets all products were primarily made
and purchased locally but due to the rise in product cost people left the local
markets in pursuit of the cheaper product available at the global companies.
Now due to the rise in the global market people are switching back to the
local small-marts to fulfill their needs, this isnt because the product is
cheaper per say it is because the consumer now wants a more personalized
and reliable buying experience. This fight isnt just between retail stores it
has now moved into restaurants, they promote their business in the same
way as the local retail store by trying to convince people to eat locally.
Credibility:
The Fortune magazine is a famous publication that is a multinational
business publication. It was founded in 1929 and has been a source of
reliable business information ever since. Fortune has a subscription base of
3,199,000 that includes paper and electronic formats that is bought by both
men and women.

Evaluation:
This article is relevant to this topic on neolocalism, though it doesnt go as
deep into the details as my other sources its presentation is different
allowing it to be a more readable format. It draws a connection from a small
business entrepreneur and this is different from the other sources I have
read, it establishes a connection with a fellow American and his struggle
against larger companies.

Connection:
This article connects well with "Deliberate Identities: Becoming Local in
America in a Global Age.". Both draw on the dissatisfaction of the quality of
product being sold by larger corporations and that consumers are more
satisfied with buying local since they know where their product is coming
from and it is considerably more reliable in terms of quality.

5.) Citation:
Bertuccioli, Enrico. "Globalization Versus Localism." Millennium Development
Goals. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2012.

Abstract:
This cartoon depicts a boxing match featuring globalism verses localism.
Credibility:
Enrico Bertuccioli is a cartoonist from the School of Comics in Milan. By
looking at some of his other works I can infer that Bertuccioli has a liberal
view on political topics and I think this hurts his credibility overall since he is
only depicting one side of the picture. Honestly, I dont know how to evaluate
a cartoonist credibility.

Evaluation:
This cartoon depicts an unfair fight between globalism and localism in
which globalism will obviously be the winner.

Connection:
This cartoon connects with the article from fortune, both depict a struggle
between local economies against the larger and stronger global system.

6.) Citation:
Flack, Wes. "American Microbreweries and Neolocalism: "Ale-ing" for a Sense
of Place."Journal of Cultural Geography 16.2 (1997): 37-53. Web.

Abstract:
The premise for this article is to show that are drawing a connection
locally through the establishment of microbreweries. These microbreweries
where created because of the globalization of beer and people wanting a
new different and unique taste in beer, something the larger beer companies
couldnt offer. Microbreweries started to incorporate local identities into their
business to draw in customers and to establish that they are different from
name brand beer and that they are the product of the local culture.
Credibility:
This article is peer reviewed and presents actual date in the form of numbers
and graphs to validate its claim.

Evaluation:
This article shows us that the microbrewery industry is on a rise and that
people gather a sense of identity from them, they brew locally, use local
products, and are local people. This appeals to the consumer and establishes
a connection of belonging that corporate companies cant replicate.

Connection:
This articles argument connects with almost every other source listed,
they all fundamentally center on an unhappy consumer and the desire to
establish their own unique identities.

7.) Citation:
Murray, Alison, and Carol Kline. "Rural Tourism and the Craft Beer
Experience: Factors Influencing Brand Loyalty in Rural North Carolina,
USA." Journal of Sustainable Tourism 23.8-9 (2015): 1198-216. Web. 1 Apr.
2017.
Abstract:
This article shows that microbreweries are successful locally when the
produce a product that is unique, the satisfy the needs/taste of the
consumer, and when they draw connections with the community. These three
sources arent directed solely at microbreweries instead they apply to all
businesses on the local level. This neolocal approach helps establish a
tourism network, local businesses succeed in their communities which then
draws in customers from other areas seeking the same satisfaction
establishing an allure and uniqueness sought out by others.
Credibility:
Murry and Kline our Professors at Penn State University, Kline lived in North
Carolina and attended App State. They utilize local North Carolina
microbreweries, wineries, and restaurants in their research.

Evaluation:
This article draws a connection with rural North Carolinians and helps in
the promotion of the benefits of neolocalism.

Connection:
 This article connects with "Deliberate Identities: Becoming Local in
America in a Global Age." In that both discuss creating a unique local
community and the result will establish tourists seeking the same
satisfaction and ultimately creating an identity that is un-replicable.

8.) Citation:
Brain, Tyler. "Examining the Portland Music Scene through Neo-localism."
(2000): n. pag. PDX Scholar. Web.

Abstract:
This article discusses the local music movement in Portland Oregon and
how its the product of local cultures, its made and produced in Portland,
and that the whole community partakes and participates in both listening to
the music as well as supporting it by opening venues and holding festivals.

Credibility:
Brian is from Portland; this article was his dissertation for his masters in
communication. He provides facts on bands, venues, and festivals all from
Portland.
Evaluation:
This article shows that neolocalism doesnt have to be solely about food
and beer but instead that it is based primarily on social factors of a
community. Music has always been away for people to establish a since of
identity, though music is often imitated it can never be duplicated.
Connection:
This article connects with all the other article on the fundamentals of
neolocalism but differs in approach since it utilizes a different topic.

9.) Citation:
Fekete, Emily. "'I Know I'm Home When I Have One:'The Cultural Significance
of the Garbage Plate of Rochester, NY." Academia.edu. N.p., 2014. Web. 3
Apr. 2017.

Abstract:
Emily talks about a unique culture aspect from her home in Rochester,
New York. The Garbage Plate is a unique identifier for her and other people
from Rochester and symbolizes home, she and others from Rochester use
this food as a means of identity that is unique to them.

Credibility:
Emily is from Rochester and grew up immersed in the local environment,
she also interviews others from the same area to help establish her
argument that the Garbage Plate is unique to just people from Rochester and
that it symbolizes home. She also sites sources that I have used to support
her claim that this qualifies as neolocalism.
Evaluation:
This article is an excellent example of how food and food culture is a way
for people to establish a since of local identity. This example specifies
geography as the primary source for her argument and how she personally
connects with her home through food. The fact that she interviews other
people helps her argument, but it is fundamentally flawed since she only
interviews people from Rochester.
Connection:
This article directly connects with my first annotation, "Deliberate
Identities: Becoming Local in America in a Global Age.", and how
communities create identities based on allure.
10.) Citation:
Shortridge, Barbara G. "A Food Geography Of The Great
Plains." Geographical Review 93.4 (2010): 507-29. Wiley Online Library. Web.
4 Apr. 2017.

Abstract:
In this article Shortridge talks about the differences of food preparation
among different regions of the great plains. She conducts a survey in which
she asks people to give ideas for a meal to be served at a local restaurant, in
her study almost everyone utilizes the same food for the meal the only
difference way how it was prepared. This is due to the cultural difference
present in the great plains and because communities are centered typically
around others that are like them. This division in the great plain is often the
differentiation of race and heritage.

Credibility:
Peer reviewed article, she utilizes numerous resources, she conducts a study
and provides the way to replicate the study, she provides statistical data
 Evaluation:
This is a reliable source of information that is presented unbiased. She
surveys a large area in which to draw data from evenly surveying the great
plains to accurately conduct the study.
Connection:
This shows that on a small scale, the great plains, local communities differ
based on culture, heritage, and race establishing a community that is unique
to them but dependent on factors of similarity within the community. The
article, Not Yet a Placeless Land: Tracking an Evolving American Geography
discusses the same thing.