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wuguwa t1_jdvg1ob wrote

That’s a mental hangup. You are the only one that can name what is important to you and you can decide your identity. It’s not something that can be, or even needs to be, fixed. It’s all in how you perceive yourself.

If you want to identify as someone “from” Baltimore, what is stoping you?

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BlubberyGuy OP t1_jdvgc95 wrote

I had a convo the other day with someone who was actually from the city, and started gatekeeping and saying I wasn't "city" enough to tell others I was from it

(Most people where I am rn don't really know the state beside it so i just say im from there, otherwise if theyre from md i say howard)

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Quantius t1_jdvlhl5 wrote

I've seen that convo numerous times, it always devolves into suffering-porn. You're not from real Baltimore unless [insert increasingly bad things until Baltimore is defined as seen in The Wire].

Baltimore is many things, and different people will have different experiences here based on all sorts of variables.

Also, "belonging" to a City isn't a special thing. You can live somewhere your entire life and never feel like you belong there or culturally identify with that place.

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wuguwa t1_jdvguqa wrote

So why does this person get to tell you where you’re from? It’s not up to them. YOU can own your identity. Don’t let someone else own who you are.

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wuguwa t1_jdvhgvp wrote

I live in White Marsh, my address says Rosedale, and I tell people I live in the Baltimore area. When I get asked where I’m from I say Maryland. If they want more specifics I say I’m from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My family has lived there since the 1660’s. I will always be an Eastern Shoresman. It’s who I am no matter where I live.

If you’re a Baltimorean at heart then let that be good enough. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Just be you.

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