MinnesotaBrown: Life is short

The Iron Range: A definition

By Aaron J. Brown

Iron Range: General term for a region in northeastern Minnesota including the Mesabi, Vermilion and Cuyuna iron ranges. Often the term implies only the Mesabi and Vermilion ranges since the Cuyuna hasn’t seen mining activity since 1984. Positioned over once rich formations of natural iron ore and taconite the Iron Range has provided the largest domestic iron ore supply for the American steel industry since the late 1800s. Because of decades of geographic isolation, large influxes of European immigrants and a strong tradition of labor and political activism, the Iron Range also represents a distinct subculture within Minnesota and the Midwest in general. This subculture values a strong work ethic, votes a socially-conservative labor-friendly brand of Democratic, and remains deeply distrustful of outsiders, especially ones who dress well and drive foreign cars. The wild fluctuations in the steel industry and dependence on mining and logging as the dominant source of reliable jobs have created a boom or bust tradition on the Iron Range that continues today. Efforts to modernize and diversify have led to mixed results, though recent developments have been positive.

The Iron Range today owns a reputation as a rough place with a volatile economy, deeply-held ethnic and social traditions, easy access to bars, churches and the Great Outdoors, a unified but ill-disciplined political network, stock car racing, and an innate cultural fascination with guns, fire and alcohol. Public schools are the largest, most ornate and prized buildings on the Iron Range. About half those who graduate from these schools leave for Duluth, the Twin Cities or elsewhere. The other half stay to raise families and work jobs that, despite modern titles, remain indirectly tied to the fortunes of natural resource industries like mining and logging.I write for both groups, those who stay and those who left, and all who join us in body or spirit.

~ Promotional release for "Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range" available in bookstores and online in October 2008 from Red Step Press. Copyright 2008 by Aaron J. Brown.

Disclaimer

Opinions expressed on MinnesotaBrown belong to me alone. MinnesotaBrown strives to provide a spectrum of opinions about news and politics in Northern Minnesota. That said, I am active in my Iron Range community and disclose the following conflicts of interest: Hibbing Community College (employer), Hibbing Daily Tribune and KAXE (contract work); Precinct chair and central committee director for the Itasca County DFL; political chair for State Rep. Tom Anzelc; co-chair of Dylan Days in Hibbing. This blog does not reflect the opinion of any of these organizations and I welcome comments from all points of view.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Life is short

Rick Weegman from the Duluth News-Tribune writes a column today about a young woman from my hometown of Cherry, Minn., who was killed in a car wreck. It's about the everyday reality of mortality, something that hits home for me since I crossed that same intersection thousands of times when I was in high school. Give it a read.

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My new book, "Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range," is out now, available in book stores across Minnesota. I have done several appearances around the region and will continue the tour through 2009. I was recently honored to accept the Northeastern Minnesota Book Award for this book. Order a copy online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Brainerd Public Library
Monday, July 13
Brown Bag Lunch Presentation/Discussion
12 p.m.
Brainerd, Minn.

I've done readings or lectures at Ironworld, UW-Superior, the Duluth Barnes and Noble, Gilbert, Grand Rapids and Hibbing public libraries, Vermilion Community College in Ely and the Lyric Center for the Arts in Virginia. I spoke at the University of Minnesota and the Har-Mar Mall Barnes and Noble in Roseville. I was the 2009 keynote speaker for the Virginia (Minn.) Historical Society and emceed the Literary Showcase at (Bob) Dylan Days in Hibbing. I do book club meetings in northern Minnesota. You can pick up signed copies of the book at Howard Street Booksellers in Hibbing, Ironworld in Chisholm, Lisa's Upstairs Bookstore in Ely, the Village Bookstore in Grand Rapids, Woodward's in Virginia and the Duluth and Roseville Barnes and Noble stores. The book is available throughout the state and through most online booksellers. New events are being scheduled all the time, so check back for updates. I do lectures, workshops and speeches about the Iron Range, blogging, and other media topics. Click on "Book News" or contact me for more information.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Life is short

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Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range

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