I Believe In Pittsburgh
/Hi Friends,
The end of summer is already in sight. How can that be? Wishing you all hearty final weeks of summer.
Sharing something I’ve rediscovered from a bit ago and about the city I love.
Until next time,
Judy
• • •
I believe in Pittsburgh.
I do! I believe in the specialness of the city of my birth, the city where I have spent my entire life—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And I’ve done plenty of soul-searching about it: is it my illusion that this city is in any way unique, or better, or more anything than any place else? Does it seem this way to me because it’s my hometown? Am I rationalizing because I am stuck here? Or do I just not know any better?
My old friend, poet Gerald Stern, another hometowner, called it “beautiful, filthy Pittsburgh,” and I thank him for the “beautiful,” but let’s face it, Gerry, the “filthy” designation applied long, long ago, when you were a boy. As I am not a kid anymore, either, I too remember when the Mon was coal-colored and putrid but I contend that the reasons for the dirtiness are part of what’s special, part of the uniqueness, part of the legacy.
So what am I talking about? A complex of factors, really, a coming together of history and geography and topography, in a way that favored the the most essential element in the mix–the people who built and lived and still live in this town. Pittsburghers.
And just to keep my credibility, I hasten to add that my city is not perfect: I note that sometimes there is less architectural integrity in evidence here than there should be. There are many examples. The corner of Fifth and Bellefield is hideous, due to a lack of taste and/or planning. So are some of our roadways. Routes 30 and 51 come to mind. We should not have lost the Syria Mosque. Nor should we have lost the Civic Arena, an iconic structure and part of our skyline, to the forces of political/economic/sports cronyism. I believe my Pittsburgh should have been better than that. I comfort myself with the realization that those responsible and benefitting from the destruction will also be remembered for it–their legacy will be that they destroyed the Civic Arena.
There are also problems here in education and transit, for example, but enough criticism. I love this city, with many good reasons…
Where else can a stranger stop and ask directions, and be escorted where he or she needs to go?
What other shot-and-a-beer town can claim one of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras?
What other hard working people dug in and created the armaments that were a decisive element in winning World War 11?
What other city has a history of dynastic families who took, and prospered–but then generously gave back—-so much?
Where else can you become such an excellent driver? By learning to drive in Pittsburgh, you master hills, curves, ice and snow, and pothole dodging. You are set up to be able to drive anywhere.
In the 60’s, the tough years of civil rights and anti-war protest, Pittsburgh, unlike Detroit or Watts or Newark, was not burned down. Again, we are certainly not perfect, but I believe that among Pittsburghers there is a higher degree of civility, less tension, and more sincere respect for the rights and dignity of one another than exists in other places.
One of our newspapers, in addition to publishing poetry, has a feaure called “random acts of kindness.”
Yes, Pittsburghers are kind, friendly people.
And…
What other town saw the catastrophe of the collapse of its main industry, and a profound diminishing of population as a result, and followed it up with a vigorous reinvention of itself?
We are home to lively communities of artists, poets, musicians, thespians; we are home to great sports teams and ethnic neighborhoods and universities, theaters and restaurants and museums and libraries.
In the foreword to “Along These Rivers,” a collection of poetry and photography from Pittsburgh, which I co-edited with Michael Wurster in honor of the 250th anniversary of our city, I wrote:
“We know that our region has been blessed with 250 exciting years of history—it is a fact that the history of Pittsburgh profoundly parallels and intersects with so much of the history of America—as well as a richly realized, unique cultural heritage. We are a center of higher learning, as well as a place of ethnic diversity and great energy. Surrounded by rolling hills and filled with interesting culturally diverse neighborhoods, rivers and bridges, we can also lay claim to one of this country’s most beautiful skylines.
We share such abundant blessings in this nurturing little city, not the least of which is our community of artists.”
That was what I wrote then, in 2008. Rereading this, I think I may have written yet another Valentine; well, I suppose that’s what love will do.