Editor’s Note: This article appeared as part of our April’s Fools issue.

An event at the MultiCultural Center on Wednesday gave voice to a culture that has long been drowned out by polka-and-cheese stereotypes: the American Midwest.

In a panel discussion titled “Demystifying the Midwest: We’re Actually East of Center,” real Midwesterners examined the obstacles and misconceptions their people often encounter. The event also featured traditional Midwestern cuisine, including Spam, cheese and Ritz crackers, saltines, various casseroles and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

Panelist Jim Dander of Low Slope, Iowa, said that movies and television often portray Midwestern struggles in an unrealistic manner.

“In Hollywood, they make light of our problems,” Mr. Dander said. “Did you see the movie ‘Twister’? I’m sorry, but if an F5 tornado is headed your way, you don’t stop to set up little experiments. You do like I did: You make sure your grandmother is tied down and you run like hell.”

Bruce Bigsby of Prairie Plain, Okla., said that after his daughter returned from her first semester of college, the anti-Midwest bias she encountered had driven a wedge into their family.

“She wouldn’t forgive me for naming her after the star of our local high school football team in the late ’70s,” Mr. Bigsby said. “But where we come from, there’s no grander tradition than Prairie Plain High School football. And Buford Coakley led the PPHS Panhandlers to three straight state championships – I’ll be damned to hell if I’m going to let that achievement be forgotten.”

Panelist Pam Kakes of Flat Tundra, Wis., said she also was shocked by the ignorance she encountered the first time she left the region.

“I was on vacation in New York City, and people kept asking me about the winters in Canada. I played along; said they were actually quite mild,” Ms. Kakes said as she broke down crying. “I don’t know why I couldn’t tell them the truth.”

Samantha Gundersen of North Dakota brought the discussion back to Hollywood, saying the motion picture “Fargo” left an emotional scar on communities around the state.

“Oh, for sure, that movie traumatized people,” Ms. Gundersen said. “They made us look like idiots, you know? We don’t sound that silly, you know? North Dakotans are actually very complex people, for sure, you know, once you get to know us. Does anyone want to go cow-tipping? I know an awesome place only a couple hours away from here.”