When I left Pittsburgh four short years ago for college in Washington, D.C., I could not wait to leave town. As a native Pittsburgher, I have always -- and will always -- love my hometown. But I was eager to see something different. I was hungry for something new.
As I drove to the nation's capital in a minivan full of clothes, kitchen appliances and two apprehensive parents, I had no idea what awaited me in a new city. I left home in search of a new perspective, and I learned many things about life and myself during my time at college. What I never expected was that in my four years in Washington, I would learn so much about Pittsburgh. For instance:
I learned that the Steelers are my team, win or lose.
After four years of riding the efficient and convenient Washington Metro, I learned that Pittsburgh's residents will never get anywhere, literally or metaphorically, until the region updates its transportation infrastructure.
I learned that salaries tend to be higher in the nation's capital, but there is no low-cost lifestyle like that of Pittsburgh. Eat'n Park is great because you do not have to pay an arm and a leg for a decent dinner out. Plus, there are no smiley cookies in Washington.
I learned during four years of class discussions that people from other parts of the country do not truly understand Pittsburgh. Their image is either a mistaken view of a city full of elderly people or a time-frozen portrait of a smoky steel town. Obviously they have seen neither Sidney Crosby's Penguins nor the South Side on a Friday night.
I learned that we as Pittsburghers do not do enough to market the truth about our city. In reality, marketing should be easy, because ...
I have learned that virtually everyone has an aunt, cousin or friend from Western Pennsylvania. I cannot describe how many people I have met who have a tangential relationship with our region. After a holiday visit to Pittsburgh, the most common refrain I hear from these individuals is, "Wow, I was really surprised to see how cool your city is ..."
I always thought that you needed to live in our city to love it. I have learned that a weekend in the 'Burgh is enough to convince many folks that it would be a great place to live.
I have learned that our city is peopled with ... well, great people. Having spent my whole life in the Steel City, I took it as a matter of course that you should smile at people on the street and hold the door for a stranger. I always learned that you must help someone if they drop their wallet, and you should actually care about the views of the person on the opposite side of a conversation. I thought these concepts were natural. But these kindnesses are not to be taken for granted -- they are the essence of Pittsburgh.
A lot of things about our town make me proud. But nothing makes me happier than hearing about what great people live in our city. That should make us all proud.
I have learned that for all the talk about a city that is aging and in decline, Pittsburgh has a lot of assets in its favor. I have learned that I want to move back to Pittsburgh and spend my life at home -- and I have learned that there are many more young Pittsburghers who feel the same way. I have learned that we have a lot of reasons to be proud of ourselves and our town. We just need to regain a sense of confidence in the future of our city.
I have learned that only time will tell whether Pittsburgh is really stagnating and facing decline, as so many of its critics contend. But I have learned that we live in an amazing place, and it is the duty of every Pittsburgher to make sure that the future of our city is bright.
Sam Hornak, who grew up in Upper St. Clair, graduated from Georgetown University in May with a history degree (sah44@georgetown.edu). He is entering University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
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