Regional hierarchies abound in how some of us prejudge other parts of America

Long before the rise of social media, the Roosevelts were right to proclaim that “comparison is the thief of joy” (Teddy) and “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent” (Eleanor). Hence, the best we can do is strive to improve the here and now, whether in our home, neighborhood, city, or region, writes guest columnist Vincent O’Keefe, a writer and former stay-at-home father with a Ph.D. in American literature.