2008 Woodie Awards
It is time to change the meaning of a townie
Next time you call someone the T-word, think twice
Evan Zawatsky
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Editorial
A couple of weeks ago, I was at a friend's house and met a girl. She was well dressed, classy, sociable and enjoyable to be around. When I sized her up, I guessed she was from a Massachusetts suburb.
As the conversation progressed, the inevitable, "Where are you from?" came up. I am sure you can imagine my surprise when she embarrasingly responded, "Newark, Delaware."
I am not great at hiding my thoughts, and she immediately noticed the grimace and disgust on my face. I am not proud of this uneducated judgment. However, with the white-tee'd bandits strolling North Chapel Street, asking college kids like myself where the "fresh crop" is tonight, I am sure you cannot blame me.
At this point, the response I give to Newark students is pure instinct, similar to when I hear someone likes Fall Out Boy. I can meet the greatest person in the world, but the second they mention they like Fall Out Boy, I cannot help but give them a dirty look and make unfair judgments about them. I am not saying I am right, but I do not fault myself. We all do it.
At a school where you constantly meet people from all across the northeast, from places where you have never been before, judgments happen all the time.
I can relate. I am from New Jersey and I love every bit of it, except for the MTV True Life episode "I'm a Jersey Shore Girl." That was embarrassing.
When I mention I am from Jersey, people who do not know any better ask if there is anything there besides the New Jersey Turnpike.
Then there are the "armpit of America" jokes. They fail to realize our high schools are among the top five in the nation, we are a short train ride from New York City and we are home to the New York Jets, New York Giants, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.
What can I say, people are ignorant. But I digress.
Back to the Newark girl. One interesting fact she told me which I was completely unaware of was that a lot of "townies" are from Elkton, Md. and other seedy areas close by.
As the conversation progressed, the inevitable, "Where are you from?" came up. I am sure you can imagine my surprise when she embarrasingly responded, "Newark, Delaware."
I am not great at hiding my thoughts, and she immediately noticed the grimace and disgust on my face. I am not proud of this uneducated judgment. However, with the white-tee'd bandits strolling North Chapel Street, asking college kids like myself where the "fresh crop" is tonight, I am sure you cannot blame me.
At this point, the response I give to Newark students is pure instinct, similar to when I hear someone likes Fall Out Boy. I can meet the greatest person in the world, but the second they mention they like Fall Out Boy, I cannot help but give them a dirty look and make unfair judgments about them. I am not saying I am right, but I do not fault myself. We all do it.
At a school where you constantly meet people from all across the northeast, from places where you have never been before, judgments happen all the time.
I can relate. I am from New Jersey and I love every bit of it, except for the MTV True Life episode "I'm a Jersey Shore Girl." That was embarrassing.
When I mention I am from Jersey, people who do not know any better ask if there is anything there besides the New Jersey Turnpike.
Then there are the "armpit of America" jokes. They fail to realize our high schools are among the top five in the nation, we are a short train ride from New York City and we are home to the New York Jets, New York Giants, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi.
What can I say, people are ignorant. But I digress.
Back to the Newark girl. One interesting fact she told me which I was completely unaware of was that a lot of "townies" are from Elkton, Md. and other seedy areas close by.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Belena Chapp
posted 9/28/07 @ 1:50 PM EST
Pity poor Evan Zawatsky that after 3 plus years of a university education he remains culturally insensitive to the Newark community and woefully unaware of how ignorant he comes across with his stereotypes and generalizations--even as he encourages his readers to think differently about 'townies. (Continued…)
Jeremy Smith
posted 10/01/07 @ 12:40 AM EST
At least you realize what a judgemental tool you can be...I mean, we are all like that.
I make the Jersey Kid Shore jokes, so I'm not blameless either. (Continued…)
Russell Palmeri
posted 10/01/07 @ 9:40 AM EST
I was getting mixed feelings as I read this.
At first, I am from Delaware. Actually I am from about 10-15 minutes up the road in Pike Creek. I have been visiting Newark for as long as I can remember. (Continued…)
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