Never Forget Where You're From

It’s been way too long since I’ve written something here. I’m unfortunately a lot closer to living out the “prediction” I made in my first post that I would care to admit, but it’s not for a lack of trying. But as anyone can tell you, holiday stuff can eat up your time before you realize it’s gone, be it visiting with friends and family, shopping, or having rage-strokes due to dealing with other people’s “holiday spirit”.

But as the holiday wraps up, something has popped up in national news that hits very close to home for me, figuratively and literally. For those who aren’t familiar with the Steubenville Big Red rape trial, and would like more information than my original link provided, a simple Google search of “#OccupySteubenville” or “#OpRollRedRoll” will give you a more accurate picture of the cultural shitstorm brewing not 10 miles from my hometown. Steubenville’s a city I’ve personally lived in. I have family there, and a lot of my time growing up was spent there. It’s a city I have strong feelings about, and unfortunately, right now Steubenville is taking a beating.

For better or worse, I'll love you forever. (via)

To read the comment section of most any story related to the rape trial is to read some harsh judgments. The phrase “ugly little town” is one you’ll find peppered throughout. You may also find some folks (who, granted, have never set foot in the Ohio Valley and couldn’t have picked out Steubenville on a map before August 2012) that are ready and willing to condemn absolutely everyone who lives there, or has lived there, as if by having a 43952 ZIP, you’re automatically complicit in years of oppressive garbage.

It’s knee-jerk, unfair, and complete bullshit.

While Steubenville certainly had its own reputation prior to the events of August 11, the reputation was built years before those who are currently standing up for change could have done anything about it. Those who are standing up now want a different future for the area as a whole, and are doing things on their own to make it happen, whether it’s starting a business in their hometown or taking some of the best things about the Ohio Valley and sharing them with a larger audience. To lump those people in as “ugly” couldn’t be more incorrect. If those football players are "products of their environment", so are these guys. Also, it took me literally 6 seconds to come up with those 2 examples, because I went to school with these guys myself. That's just one school, in one town in the area, with guys that graduated within 3 years of each other. 

And, yes, the football culture is abhorrent. Always has been, really. Hell, even I saw it as a football player, and I only played for 2 years, and I absolutely sucked. (Seriously. Good luck finding game film with me in it that doesn't involve me standing on the sidelines. You’d have better luck finding a shrink-wrapped copy of “Bandai Stadium Events”.) Unfortunately, it’s taken help from outside the Ohio Valley for many to gain a full view of the culture at hand. Taken from experience, while not forgivable, and certainly not an excuse, it’s hard to know one may be doing something wrong if it’s all they’ve ever known.

I can’t say if I would be outside Steubenville City Hall tomorrow if I still lived at home. While I support the cause, I’ve spent a large majority of my life afraid of my own shadow. For those who will be there, I can only say this: The eyes of the world will be on Steubenville tomorrow. Help us overcome these unfounded stereotypes, and show the world that there’s more to the Ohio Valley than blind eyes and corruption.

Please.