Enough with the stereotype

When Morton is mentioned through the writings of a Peoria Journal Star columnist, it is guaranteed there will be mention of that age-old stereotype of the typical Mortonite.

Deceased Peoria Journal Star columnist Rick Baker was famous for this. Current columnist Phil Luciano seems to be following in his footsteps, but with less gusto.

I have respect for both. You might be surprised to learn I took a news feature writing class taught by Luciano at Bradley — maybe you aren’t.

Regardless, I cannot help but cross my arms, lean back and laugh as I read these columns, especially when they pertain to Morton.

Here is the problem, every opinion uses the same fodder — Mortonites are persnickety. It is used as a basis to drum up some thoughts from those in Morton and those who have a nasty opinion of Morton — it works and it is darned funny once Mortonites catch wind of it.

I could not help but pay attention yesterday as I read Luciano’s most recent piece titled, “Take the pizza, leave the beer.”

Luciano goes on to describe how he called Monical’s in Morton and placed an order for pizza to go. When he arrived, his pizza was not ready, so, he asked for a beer while he waited.

Per corporate policy, he was told he could not order a beer unless he was eating food at the establishment.

I am with him on this one — that is a ridiculous rule.

But, did Morton really deserve this snide comment?

“‘Um, yeah,’ I said, wondering if this was some persnickety rule intrinsic to Morton life.”

Way to go Luciano, you just stirred up the persnickety people who were beginning to relax and keep quiet.

Luciano learned it was corporate policy, not specific to Morton.

Knowing this, he still brought up a stereotype — Mortonites are all stuck up — that I don’t think applied in this situation.

Like I said, I find this all very humorous. Anytime somebody other than myself wants to make fun of Morton, I sit back and take notes.

Let me be honest. When I learned I was going to be the editor of this hometown newspaper, I had little knowledge of Morton. I only heard similar stereotypical references outsiders seem to embrace.

I have only lived here for a little more than two years. To this day, I have not experienced or witnessed anything that supports the notion that all Mortonites are snobs.

It’s true, there are people here who hold their noses in the air. But, please, give us credit, the majority of us are normal people who enjoy a good laugh.

Just like every small town, we have residents who are very proud of their hometown — including myself.

But, we are constantly picked on because we happen to live in a nice town with numerous amenities to keep us happy.

The online comments about Luciano’s article lit up. Mortonites and non-Mortonites started going at it.

If you read the comments from the outsiders, they sound like residents of third-world countries who are jealous of a prosperous way of life. They sound like the bullies in school who constantly picked on the kids who had rich parents.

Then, you have the participating Mortonites who fall under that elitist category. They support that stereotype when they voice their opinion, making the rest of us look like snobs.

So, it is not Luciano’s fault. There is no doubt, the notion that Morton is an uppity town is more widespread than many of us would like to think. But, I know us average Mortonites could silence that stereotype in a heartbeat.

But, would I live here if Morton were really as bad as people make it sound? Absolutely not.

I do see snobby scenarios play out every now and then. But, I have seen them in Peoria as well.

Morton is not a “city upon a hill.” The majority of Mortonites are not stuck up characters.

I agree with Luciano regarding the company’s rule. But, seriously, if he did the same story about a Monical’s in Peoria, this stereotype would have never been mentioned.

There are better ways to make fun of us. Perhaps you just need to get to know us to learn how.