What causes one to have deep pride for their State? Proud to be from …? (Ex: Texas,NJ,NY)

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Using three States where people I’ve personally met seem incredibly proud to be from - Texas, New Jersey and New York. I’ll also throw in the city of Cleveland because I know someone who boasts proudly of having lived there for their entire childhood.

Are you raised to be proud of your State? How did it work for you?

Why is it certain States or cities and not others that have a good portion of the population that carry that pride everywhere they go? Is it encouraged?

Where are you from OP? Some flyover place you're embarrassed of, like Ohio or Michigan?

Op here. Native Washingtonian. Born and raised here. In my opinion, there is not really a sense of personal ownership for D.C. unless you are counting maybe in that we had the Chocolate City title for a time or for the love of go-go. You just don’t naturally get geared towards deeply loving this place or going elsewhere and expressing this fondness for your hometown. Thus, it makes me curious to know how people develop a deep love for their State/City.

Love the responses everyone!

Fellow native Washingtonian here and I do feel a sense of personal ownership for the city. My family goes back generations, and I am perpetually amazed by the stereotype that everyone in DC is a white former student council president who moved here from Indiana.

It's because those people circulate among each other and are myopic. I am not a native but married one and so spend time with other longtime Washingtonians who are proud of their city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I'm from WV, I have a passport and have traveled extensively in the US and abroad. We have WV pride b/c people shit on it and make stereotypes -- we don't like it when people do that.

Traveling on 64 in the early morning, you understand why they call it West "by God" Virginia. Breathtakingly beautiful.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Your ignorance shows you probably never step foot in MI! I recently stayed in Howell, MI and was surprised how nice it was. And Brighton. A ton of lakes and many of the subdivisions had boat ramps etc. and nice parks. I've also been all over the UP and Mackinaw island we took our bikes on the ferry and road all over the island. fyi these weren't even near a 1 million dollar homes...lol Maybe if you change your attitude you find some happiness.

Two MAGA country exurbs of Detroit. Cheap mcmansions, fast food joints, strip malls, and terrible schools. You should move there if it's so great. You won't, of course.

Do you realize other presidents used MAGA? You need to de-Trump yourself and seriously look at whose leading now which isn't anything to do with this thread!

MAGAs still infest many areas of our country. They are even clogging up our roads with their stupid truck convoy.

You go tell them Trump is kaput.

You are deranged. If he was so kaput as you put it then why the OCD about Trump?????????????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Girl, I'm trying! My Detroit chapter is not over, yet, it is To Be Continued...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of very rich, successful and relatively high class people who live in New Jersey. I never understood its bad reputation. It's like some sort of meme? I don't get it.

I started realizing when I moved out of NJ. The trash talk comes from NYers. They don’t like that we’re the less expensive neighbors who can take advantage of the greatness of NYC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why anyone would be proud to be from New Jersey is beyond me.

South Jersey - cheesesteaks and hoagies. Jersey tomatoes and corn. Connecting over what turnpike exit you live off of.

I don’t know - it’s a small state but has a little bit of everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am bemused by the people who think that pride in one's state is due to lack of travel or exposure. I'm from Michigan and didn't really appreciate it until I moved away. I have also travelled a lot and lived abroad. Michigan is so beautiful, people are friendly and down-to-earth as well as smart and educated, and there is a terrific culture of enjoying outdoor activities.

People who hear me talk about Michigan might think it's pride-- and it is, somewhat-- but it's mostly great affection. I don't think it's superior to everywhere else. It's more like because I grew up there, its best attributes resonate deeply with me. I can visit the ocean and be wowed by its power and beauty, but seeing the intense blue water of the Great Lakes, sailboats and freighters on the horizon, pine trees along the rocky shoreline, and falling asleep to the lap, lap, lap of the waves on the beach just fills my soul.

Anonymous wrote:
I love Michigan! Michiganders know how to enjoy a weekend, whether up north, on a lake, or in their own back yard. I am in awe of the Great Lakes although as an east coaster there is just one small part of me that is like, this needs salt. Would be perfect, if salty.

Yeah, yeah Michigan is so great, so why don't you move back? Exactly. People with money can't leave Michigan fast enough. It's been dying for 40 years, it's the most toxic and polluted state in the US, weather is crap, economy is crap, and PP included quite a bit of easily proven falsehoods regarding education levels and intelligence. Of note, public schools are some of the worst in the US and have been in steep decline for decades & decades of brain drain means a high concentration of dull and poor are left. And of course the go-to "highlight" is always ritzy Lake Michigan summer towns which you enjoy three months a year if you can spare $1m-10m for a mansion on the water. Too funny. It's like calling the Dominican Republic a wonderful country because you enjoyed your stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Punta Cana.

Your ignorance shows you probably never step foot in MI! I recently stayed in Howell, MI and was surprised how nice it was. And Brighton. A ton of lakes and many of the subdivisions had boat ramps etc. and nice parks. I've also been all over the UP and Mackinaw island we took our bikes on the ferry and road all over the island. fyi these weren't even near a 1 million dollar homes...lol Maybe if you change your attitude you find some happiness.

Two MAGA country exurbs of Detroit. Cheap mcmansions, fast food joints, strip malls, and terrible schools. You should move there if it's so great. You won't, of course.

Do you realize other presidents used MAGA? You need to de-Trump yourself and seriously look at whose leading now which isn't anything to do with this thread!

MAGAs still infest many areas of our country. They are even clogging up our roads with their stupid truck convoy.

You go tell them Trump is kaput.

You are deranged. If he was so kaput as you put it then why the OCD about Trump?????????????

Exactly. I don’t know why these dumba$$es don’t realize he’s a crook. He still has millions of supporters. Some even drive around the beltway with their Trump flags. It’s nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why anyone would be proud to be from New Jersey is beyond me.

South Jersey - cheesesteaks and hoagies. Jersey tomatoes and corn. Connecting over what turnpike exit you live off of.

I don’t know - it’s a small state but has a little bit of everything.

Oh, and Bruce Springsteen and the shore; entrained in my childhood memories.

[Anonymous]

^engrained

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the people I know like this are this way, IMO, because of a lack of travel.

My parents are both from WV. They moved to VA in the 80s and had my siblings and I here. 99% of my relatives are still in WV. They're very much like this with the WV pride because they know of no other places, for the most part. Many have been to visit us in VA and they absolutely hate it here and in DC. Other than that, they go to Myrtle Beach in SC for vacation. A motorcycle event in OH. None of them have passports or any desire to ever travel internationally.

I'm from WV, I have a passport and have traveled extensively in the US and abroad. We have WV pride b/c people shit on it and make stereotypes -- we don't like it when people do that.

Traveling on 64 in the early morning, you understand why they call it West "by God" Virginia. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Not from WV, but agree it is indeed beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Hey, have you all noticed that no one brags about being from Northern Virginia?

I grew up (mostly) in NoVa and the concept of pride in my hometown was completely foreign to me. Now I live in a different part of Va that routinely sh*t on by people in NoVa and I’ve really started to feel a connection with a place as an adult. I have a community. It’s nice.

[Anonymous]

I think there’s a difference between pride and affection. I have deep affection for TN where I’m from. It’s beautiful and I had a good childhood. But I’m not proud of TN’s politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m from Michigan. I’ve noticed a distinct culture of “Michigan pride” among those in my age group (mid 30s), especially people who have left the state. I think it is the outgrow of a bit of trauma - many of our parents lost their jobs in the early 2000s. Detroit was the first major US city to file for bankruptcy. Many people feel they have to leave home (often permanently) to be successful. Michigan pride is a way to flip the narrative. It is also a way to process the complicated emotions associated with leaving one’s home state (and family of origin) due to economic necessity.

Good points. The area has never fully recovered from the 2000's. As with my daughter, white collar leaves after college graduation. What I will say is that Southeast Michigan has a very unique, insular culture. You either live in that culture or you don't. For an outsider, unless you have a job that would not be easy to replace somewhere else, you wouldn't want to be there forever.