Local Yokel

For those of you who don’t know me, and for the remainder who haven’t figured out how to profile me, allow me to introduce myself.  I’m a Male human; of mixed European descent (Slightly more German than my last name would have you believe). I was born a Pennsylvanian and lived in the Pocono Mountains.  I have siblings and parents, 4 limbs, hair and all of the usual organs.  I have other personal attributes associated with my genetics, just like you, and your siblings and parents……

Nothing earth breaking here and I’m sure many of you could claim some of the same attributes as I do, since I’m sure we are only all 6 degrees away from Kevin Bacon http://www.thekevinbacongame.com/.  Thing is, we didn't earn or choose any of the attributes in our genetic code.  We were born this way, like it or not.  Conceived, born and raised due to the decisions, choices and preferences of our parents, and maybe whatever was playing on the car radio that night.  So heritage has happened to all of us, you can’t choose your heritage.

                Hey stork, yeah it’s me, down here in the package.  Listen up, you drop me off at a nice Irish house or I’m gonna be a hunter when I grow up!

 I’m fairly sure that has never happened, so the question strikes me, “Why do we have heritage pride events?” 

Saint Patrick’s Day is an excellent example.  Besides a classic drinking day, what is the point?  We are choosing to highlight a culture that by the very nature of being born American is proof that someone in your lineage chose to leave.  Yes, it’s nice to have a Guinness and wear the Kelly green. But the celebration in this country is as much about claiming to be Irish, as it is about being Irish 1 day of the year and then being thankful that someone made the choice to come to America.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m Irish and I love the Irish, you could just as easily place any other ethnicity group in this country in this bag.

I also question the people who take great pride in their long extinct relatives.  Telling me that your great, great, 2^nd Uncle twice removed, on your mother’s side, was Lord Admiral Nelson, does nothing to impress me.  In fact I’m a bit concerned that you took the time to research it and then announce it as if it’s at all relevant in today’s world…..Just because you have royalty in your blood doesn't give you any more sway in my current world, except to maybe highlight some potential inbreeding issues. Just the same, if your granddaddy was Lee Harvey Oswell, doesn't mean you should be distrusted and barred from owning a gun.

What got me thinking about this is the pride people take in their hometown.  I have a home town but I didn't choose it.  It was great to grow up in the Poconos, but again, I didn't choose it.  However, I can say “I’m local”, and that is worth something to other locals.  I guess it’s a solidarity thing.I'm local and I can prove it! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cutterman

I have moved around a good bit and in some cities the idea of “local” is more powerful than others.  DC is a great example of a city where being local is less of a big deal, Philadelphia is exactly the opposite.  Philly is a City made of neighborhoods, being a local to the neighborhood is instant street cred. 

Albuquerque is home now, and in many ways it’s similar to Philly, just on a smaller scale.  In some neighborhoods locals have a pride about being local. In most cases they will tell you about how they would leave if they could, and then follow it up with a comment about how I would understand if I were a local.  I like to counter, that since I chose to live here, knowing full well what I was getting into, I have a greater sense of belonging than those who were born here.  With that folks typically question why I would move to this city.  I have my reasons, but it still strikes me that we celebrate those who were handed a birthright more than those who made a conscious decision. 

This all leaves me to wonder, is Saint Pats day a big deal in Ireland? If not, perhaps the holiday is not really about the heritage at all, but more about celebrating those who choose to leave it for a better life.