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

I get a fuming, deep, defensive sense of anger inside of me when people call my hometown (in the PA coal region) a “shithole,” that’s for sure. So goddamn insulting.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Raised in Texas, I think a lot of it has to do with an early history of bonding through adversity. Echos of “Remember the Alamo” still reverberate. Early settlers also faced challenges faced by pioneers everywhere and had a better chance if they bonded together as a community that would aid each other. Current generations wouldn’t have the foggiest idea how to survive frontier rigors, but we might hope that the fortitude of our ancestors resides somewhere within us, should we ever have to call on it. We’ve also faced regional challenges that leave their mark. On the plains (where I’m from) everyone’s experienced sandstorms where you taste the sand and it gets in your eyes, your nose, etc. We’ve also grown up sheltering from tornadoes. The gulf coast has has problems with hurricanes, including the Galveston hurricane of 1900 which caused huge devastation. There’s a musical (which most Texans probably never heard of) that’s performed every summer in a Texas state park and is a prime example of Texan’s pride in their pioneer spirit.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_(musical)

We have a rich cultural heritage. Six Flags was originally Six Flags Over Texas, named for the six flags that had represented the state throughout its history: Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The United States, and (lamentably) the Confederacy. We’re proud that we were an independent nation (struggling, desperately needing the US - again, we don’t focus on that part), and like to perpetuate the (false) idea that Texas reserved the right to secede, knowing the point is moot, because Texans are intensely patriotic and would never actually consider it. The cowboy myth has been romanticized and incorporated into the state’s identity. We have our own traditions (homecoming mums), myths (previously mentioned secession right, Governor Hogg’s daughters Ima (real) and Ura (false), expressions (some may be regional, but certainly distinct from many other parts of the country), cuisine (Tex-Mex, southern country cooking, and Texas beef), and (to a certain extent, although probably less in urban areas) fashion sense.

We also feel we have a lot to be proud of. For a long time, Texas was the biggest state. While we recognize that Alaska is (vastly) bigger, we tend not to think about that much. Texas has a lot of geographical diversity, rich resources, and a vibrant culture. We have large metropolitan centers for those who want a cosmopolitan lifestyle and business opportunities. We also have small farming communities for those who prefer that lifestyle. Texas is bigger than other countries. For example, France is about 4/5 the size of Texas. It’s economy ranks highly globally (although behind California, another fact we recognize but don’t dwell on).

We’re raised with a Texas identity and surrounded by it. We grew up hearing things like “Everything’s bigger in Texas” and “Don’t Mess with Texas”. Every Texas child has probably clapped along to Deep in the Heart of Texas at some point and has certainly heard The Yellow Rose of Texas (although few would probably even recognize the name of the actual state song - Texas, Our Texas). When I was in school, 7th grade history class was a class on Texas state history. I think it was a state requirement, but it may have only been a requirement of my local district, and it was about 4 decades ago, so things may have changed in the interim.

Another Texan here who, sadly, no longer lives in the state. This pretty much nails it, down to the 7th grade Texas history class. I love being a Texan.

And to the PP, I also went to Duke, which is similarly known to have alums who are obnoxiously proud and loyal to their school. Duke was everything I dreamt it would be and more - would do it again in a heartbeat.

I grew up in Virginia and 5th grade history was "Virginia history". I don't think it's that unusual to have a year of state history.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get a fuming, deep, defensive sense of anger inside of me when people call my hometown (in the PA coal region) a “shithole,” that’s for sure. So goddamn insulting.

Is it not? Are talented people clamoring to move there?

Depends on your definition of talent. You can be as “talented” as can be, but you’re not going to be happy (statistically) living hundreds of miles away from your family and roots.

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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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get the bad rep of the depressing rust belt and flyover country in general but I've never understood the New Jersey slander. Really expensive and nice beach towns and really really expensive and pretty suburbs of NYC. Are the soulless parts of New Jersey any worse than soulless parts of Long Island? Or maybe it's just because New Jersey has awful Newark, Camden, Camden?

NJ wasn't always nice and expensive. A lot of the suburbs are ho-hum. Strip malls galore and their crazy roadways are eyesores of urban planning. Also, their antics in NYC and The Shore on the weekends led to the moniker "bridge and tunnel."

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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!

Anonymous wrote:I get the bad rep of the depressing rust belt and flyover country in general but I've never understood the New Jersey slander. Really expensive and nice beach towns and really really expensive and pretty suburbs of NYC. Are the soulless parts of New Jersey any worse than soulless parts of Long Island? Or maybe it's just because New Jersey has awful Newark, Camden, Camden?

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Good for you now please stay out of our state.