As a fellow (former) midwesterner, I found myself being ashamed of the midwest for so long as a kid. I thought it was a boring place full of boring people. The horrors that have been continuing through the past few weeks have made me sick to my stomach daily, with some of the only sliver of hope being the people who are sticking up against these horrible acts for their neighbors. Midwestern nice showing for the people who need it makes my heart connect to home, in the best way possible. Thank you for being there, holding space, and upholding the midwestern way.