I like that the Mall serves as our national Tupperware, reliable and empty, waiting to be filled with potluck whatever.
This quote offers a vivid metaphor for the Mall as a symbol of American openness and versatility. Comparing the Mall to Tupperware suggests that it is a reliable container, a vessel that holds the collective essence of the nation, yet remains neutral and adaptable. The imagery of it being 'empty, waiting to be filled with potluck whatever' emphasizes its role as a communal space—a blank slate that can be personalized, molded, or filled with diverse expressions of culture, politics, and community life.
The metaphor invites reflection on how public spaces like malls function in society. They are not merely commercial entities but also stages where American identity is performed and redefined. Just as Tupperware is used variably for different dishes and occasions, the Mall can host everything from patriotic parades to protests, holiday celebrations to moments of solitude. The phrase also hints at the passive capacity of these spaces; they await human activity to bring them to life.
Furthermore, this comparison underscores the idea of the Mall as a democratizing space—neutral and accessible—where any 'filling' reflects the diversity of American life. It subtly hints at nostalgia for an America where spaces were accepted as containers of collective hopes and stories. It also prompts us to consider how these spaces have evolved or been challenged over time, and what they say about national values, unity, and community.
Overall, the metaphor encapsulates the potential for American public spaces—like malls—to serve as flexible, inclusive platforms for community engagement and cultural expression, emphasizing their enduring role as reservoirs of societal identity waiting to be activated by its people.
