Not My Hometown

by Patrick J. Deneen on June 26, 2009 · 6 comments <span>Print this article</span> Print this article

in Region & Place,Short

Let it not be said that FPR indiscriminately supports “localism.” I believe that all my compatriots here would agree that this is one “locality” that cannot be defended. Maybe that’s because it’s the sort of “locality” that no one has grown up, or grown old in.

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

avatar MichaelW July 2, 2009 at 9:54 am

Or maybe because there’s nothing “local” about it.
“The Starbucks, or the Starbucks, or the Starbucks…” :)

avatar Matt July 2, 2009 at 1:59 pm

I grew up in Arlington. And my parents are growing old there now in the house they’ve lived in for over 40 years.

avatar Patrick Deneen July 2, 2009 at 3:38 pm

Matt,
As I posted this I thought I might have to make explicit that I was talking about the gentrified Arlington portrayed in the video, but concluded that people would get that. I guess I was wrong.

avatar Margaret Perry July 5, 2009 at 9:00 pm

This rap is so true. Interestingly, most of the areas portrayed in this rap have only be built up in the last 40 years or so. There definitely are more traditional neighborhood-like areas in Arlington. They just are off the main drags.

avatar Erica Wanis July 6, 2009 at 10:15 am

What I find interesting about this video is that the authors clearly recognize that there is something worth mocking about this lifestyle. I wonder if that was a conscious motivation or if they just thought it was hilarious, which it is.

avatar Matt July 13, 2009 at 5:14 pm

Patrick,
I get that it’s the redeveloped portion of Arlington that these guys are poking fun at, but it wasn’t clear from your comment that you knew there was more to Arlington than just that piece, so that’s why I said something.

I actually like the redeveloped part of Arlington (I wouldn’t say “gentrified,” because it was created more by adding population through higher density rather than pushing people out). It’s brought in a lot of younger people and made Arlington a more vibrant place. But it also has empty nesters and retirees. One of my elderly neighbors spent the last few years of her life in one of those high-rises.

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