I'm an Army brat. I was born in Germany, and spent most of my childhood living in places like Virginia, South Carolina, South Korea and Texas.
I eventually landed in Utah as a teenager, and have lived here off and on for the past 15 or so years. My family is originally from Utah, going back to the early days of the state. My ancestors even helped to settle Springville, and to this day there's an avenue in the city that bears our family name.
I've really enjoyed each place that I've had the opportunity to call home. Every place has its own character, and there have been things that I've liked and disliked about each place as well. In Virginia I lived just outside of DC, so there were tons of sights to see. Korea is just a beautiful country, with a rich culture. And Texas is just so damn proud that it's practically infectious.
In fact, there's a popular bumper sticker in Texas that says, "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could."
Contrast that sentiment to the self-loathing that infects Utah like a plague. In my experience, Utahns are more likely to claim another state as their home, even if they've spent most of their lives in Utah and have only briefly lived in their adopted hometown. Utahns complain about the weather, they complain about the politics, the public schools, the beer, the roads, the traffic, the LDS religion and Temple Square. Park City likes to call itself an "independent republic." Salt Lake is simply conflicted - in a state of perpetual identity crisis, torn between church, state, and metropolis - somehow unable to reconcile its three main identities. Sandy was apparently feeling insecure enough about itself that it felt like it needed to rebrand, complete with an ad campaign (read my previous post on that subject here). All this, and we famously continue to lead the nation in our use of anti-depressants, and at an alarming rate.
If Texans' pride is contagious, I think the same can be said of Utahns' self-deprecation. Utah's economy is good, we consistently score high in livability assessments, our cities are safe and clean, we're home to expansive diverse and amazing wilderness areas, and distinct four seasons. But we hate ourselves. We hate our state. And we're extremely depressed about it all.
I'm almost surprised that I haven't seen any bumper stickers announcing, "I was born in Utah, but I'll get the hell out of here just as soon as I can!"
It is time for Utah to recognize that we have a problem, a mental illness, if you will. We need to wake up and realize that this is a nice place to live, and that we've got a lot going for us. We've certainly got things that we can work on, but we need to find a healthier, more positive approach than the negative, self-destructive path that we're on right now.
7 comments:
I was born in Utah, left for a few years and now I am back. I think that Utahns, both LDS and otherwise need to realize how GOOD we have it here.
This state is not perfect by LDS standards, nor is it perfect by Hollywood standards. It is somewhere in the middle, and for the most part, it is working.
I guess I always had the mistaken thought that, since many a Utahn has spent at least a month in California, everyone just thought it was that much cooler to claim California. But you're right, there's more to it than that. Personally, I don't get it. I was born in Provo and raised in St. George (even though I spent two childhood years in the coveted SoCal) and I have no problem claiming I'm a Utahn. Anyway, I like what you say. There's a big, pathetic culture behind being discontent.
(read your post off a link from rslfm.com, fyi)
I was born on the East coast then moved to Utah shortly after. 5 years later we spent 4 years in SoCal, then back to Utah. I've never wanted to claim Cali, and prefer Utah to it, but I am one of the people who couldn't wait to get out of Utah, and am glad I've now been back on the East coast in Boston for the past 5.5 years.
I love and miss the mtns and outdoors in Utah, and SLC is getting better, but the few times I've been back to visit I feel ill about all the sprawling suburbs and lush green lawns that exist in the desert. Utah has a lot of potential, but seems to miss the mark all too often. [I'm amazed that people still, to this day complain incorrectly about their taxes that were stolen to build RSL stadium]
As you said, Utah's got those high anti-depressant rates, and it also has high rates of vanity with cosmetic surgery, facials, hair dyeing etc. I'm sure these are connected. I think you're right. Utah needs to admit they have a problem, but also stop worrying about appearances and realize that they have some great stuff going for them.
Great blog.
Good commments, all. I enjoy the feedback!
Anonymous, this is my feeling as well, having spent most of my life out of state. This is a nice place - not perfect, but good.
SMLS, I think your description of the "culture of discontent" is apt. I also think we have a culture of insecurity. Remember all of the news pieces during the Olympics about public perception of Utah? In fact, earlier this week the DesMoNews ran an article talking about global perception of the LDS church. Utahns (and LDS) need to learn to feel secure in themselves, and not look to others for validation. The rest of the world's not going to feel any better about us than we feel about ourselves!
(Side-note, and trash-talking aside: I spent a couple of years living in Monterey, California, and I'll take NoCal to SoCal any day!)
Logan, I forgot about the vanity thing! Here's the background that I think I'm lacking: Utah is the first truly small state that I've ever lived in (and Sandy is the smallest city that I've ever called home). Are other small states, like Wyoming or Vermont, as insecure as we are? Or have other small states found something that they like about themselves, and seized upon it? It just seems like Utah is incapable of liking itself. Incapable of embracing its own uniqueness.
Oh, and SMLS, you're not alone - I owe 80% of my traffic to FM! (Go RSL!)
Oussan,
Thanks for replying, it's always nice to get a response from a comment. [I too came from RSLFM]
I'd think that Wyoming is pretty secure in it's cowboy image. They have something about it on their license plate, and rodeo, racing and ranching etc is pretty big there. Vermont is definitely confident. They do their own thing and are happy about it. Being up in New England you hear all sorts of stuff about Vermont wanting to secede from the Union. They've got their farms, and their happy about it. They have a pretty unique and independent local government up there.
I think part of the issue may be the homogeneity. Granted it didn't start out that way with immigrant coming from all over to settle. But conformity was order of the day. That helped to get all the different peoples and cultures to work together to get the place going, but that conformity continued hard on until now. I and my family are LDS, but my parents are also Democrats. We were definitely outsiders in Sandy and Centerville, this was always very clear.
Now with more immigration happening again [including US folks from other states] people aren't sure how to handle all the different views as people aren't assimilating like they did in the past. I think this, coupled with the pressure to fit in and look/be perfect is the recipe for self-loathing. Everybody's confused things go on from there.
Alright, I've already typed way too much, and still not said enough [you could go on and on to try and really figure this issue out] so I'll take leave now. But thanks again for an interesting post, and the replies. [I too would take NoCal over SoCal].
Admitting you are from Utah is like admitting that you come from a disfunctional family. You have the "good kids" the "rebels" the "pretty ones" the "smart ones" and we're all jealous of eachother! There is nothing wrong with this...it works. And everyone else is the same way they just don't admit it.
There are just as many issues in SoCal, it's just sunny there. So people say they are from there because the only thing that people know about it is that SeaWorld is there and that means it's fun and cool...therefore, they are sunny, fun and cool. :) You see.
When you are from Utah, you're moody and don't know what you want, but at least you're easy on the eyes most the time.
There are also alot of people that are proud as hell to say tey are from Utah, myself included.However this is an attitude change from my younger years. I have lived in Utah county for all of my 31 years, and I am not LDS.
One of the great pleasures I take from being from Utah is the stupid questions, and comments I hear from people when traveling, I often play it up, telling people both my moms are named Susan etc.
Anyway I love it here
PS found this blog linked to RSLFM
(same way I found AYL)
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