I grew up loathing my hometown. There was nothing wrong with my childhood. However, there was always the attitude that was perpetuated by seemly everyone that something was missing. Maybe this stemmed from arrogance, traditionalism, or even isolationism. There was always the underlying attitude that Fresno lacked something, and was not good enough. The running joke through the late 90’s early 00’s was that Fresno was the armpit of California. Although I find it healthy to be able to laugh at ones self, the underlying premise of this self-sabotaging thought pattern is that the residents of Fresno believed this self-deprecating, self-fulfilling prophecy.
Other major metros and regions of California were looked at with wonder. These regions were bustling with culture, art, music, history, and a better self-image. These were areas where dreams could come true. This was the promised land of the golden state, and Fresno was the inevitable place where dreams go to die. Older residents of Fresno even call Fresno a ‘blackhole’, because people get sucked in and become stuck. This victim mentality spread through every facet of society. Those who were well off enough to isolate themselves did so, ignoring all other problems of the City, and even blaming those problems on the those who were not well off enough to escape.
I wanted to solve these problems. I wanted to slay these giants of perception that had enslaved the City I was born into. I attended the State University in Fresno, linking up with movers and shakers within the academic, social, and humanities circles. I choose to continue my education and pursue a postgraduate degree from the same institution. I had become invested into my community, and I have witnessed a shift in perception about our City emanating from young Millennials who understand that every City and region has problems, and it is our responsibility to create a culture that we enjoy.
Over the last half decade, I have found extreme beauty in my hometown. From the way the mountains silhouette the horizon, to the way the river twists and turns on the county line I see how the City of Fresno has nestled itself in this crook of natural majestic beauty. We have a reemerging Downtown filled with artists, entrepreneurs, and a unique sense of fashion. Fresno has started to develop its own unique culture, from local botanical watering holes, to a caravan of food trucks. I have always seen potential in my hometown, but for the first time in a long time I can see Fresno moving in that potential. This gives me hope for the future of my City. Hope that we will no longer identity as the ‘armpit of California’, but as the 5th largest metropolitan area in California, with our own flavor and identity. Unapologetically Fresno. Unapologetically awesome.
As I look at the clouds barreling over the snowcapped mountains, my hearts warms with pride for my City. That we are blessed with extreme beauty in a way no other City is. As my heart beams with admiration, it also skips a beat thinking about the possibility that there are other mountains, other rivers, and other communities radiating divine majestic beauty. I have come full circle, to where I am no longer running from my hometown to imagined greener pastures, but instead running to other beautiful possibilities and places. I am not escaping, but swimming in wanderlust. There are mountains and valleys, forests and coastlines, cityscapes and alleyways that these eyes need to see, that these feet need to walk, and that this mind needs to appreciate. There are countries and cultures outside my own current understanding. My heart leaps with joy at the possibility of these other environments adorned in splendor. I feel responsible to myself, to fill this gap in my soul.
I cannot do this alone; I need help turning this dream into a reality. By donating to my cause you are not only impacting my life forever, forever changing my perspective and perception of the world we are privileged enough to call home, but you are also impacting every one I come into contact with. My own worldview has been transformed so drastically that I do believe that everyone I have close relations with will also be transformed for the better. Please partner with me as an impactful force for change, to lift humans from their mundane self-loathing existence to one of joy, hope, possibility, and wonder. As I set off to travel the world, I have full faith in you to be transformative right where you are. I leave my beloved hometown in your hands. I have faith in you to be responsible in preparing a way for a brighter future for every generation that comes after us.
Thank you. You are awesome!
