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| Words and photo: F LoBuono |
What is a New York State of Mind?
In 1976, Singer Billy Joel made that the unofficial anthem of the City, State, and County of New York - a city so nice, they named it twice - with his pop classic of the same name. In essence, it uses the iconic imagery of New York to conjure a feeling of what it's like to be a true New Yorker. But, he also suggests that it's more than just than just bright lights and big buildings - it's a state of being.
If I may, as someone who has lived in the shadow of its enormous footprint for more than 60 years, allow me to attempt to explain.
New York City can be maddening. To say that the pace here is frenetic is like saying Mt. Everest is a pretty big mountain. The competition is fierce. Another popular AND accurate slogan from a hugely successful song associated with our City, Frank Sinatra's most aptly named New York, New York, is: if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. And, you damned better believe that's true.
New Yorkers are ALWAYS in a terrible hurry to get somewhere - anywhere (see: I want to wake up in a City that never sleeps)! So, if you are not, please step aside or, be run over. This, of course, leaves people with the impression that we are rude at worst, impatient at best. Well, we are - and, we aren't. In studies conducted in most major American cities about how ready the population is to help wayward and confused travelers, New York almost always wins. We usually just do it while we are in motion! Again, if you are not used to it, it can be maddening. But, this intense sense of urgency and competition can also act as a bonding factor. If you pass muster here, no one gives a shit if you are white, black, yellow, red, or green! All we care about is if you can contribute to this City. If you do, then you are one of us. Period.
This combination of urgency, competition, and diversity creates that famous NEW YORK STATE OF MIND. It is a virtually unbeatable combination that makes us both loathed and loved - and, a target for every freedom-hating crackpot in the world! Let's put it this way (and nothing against the place) - when was the last time you saw a terrorist attack on Topeka, Kansas?
We are the jewel in the crown of the EMPIRE STATE. This gives us a sense of invincibility and a reputation for being able to handle anything thrown our way. Some may call it arrogance. Well, so be it. They simply do not understand what it takes to live here. If they did, they would admire us instead.
It's understandable, therefore, that many would look to do us harm. And, they have tried - mightily.
But, none have ultimately succeeded - and, they never will. Not only can they not stop us, they can't even slow us down. Take today's attack (12/11/2017) on the Port Authority Bus Terminal. At the height of rush hour, with hundreds of thousands of people doing what New Yorkers do everyday - take the bus and train to hustle to work - some Myrmidon with a homemade pipe bomb thought he could create havoc, death, and destruction in our midst. He failed - miserably. But, even if he had caused more damage than he did, it wouldn't have ultimately mattered. We cannot be intimidated. New Yorkers will NEVER stop being, well, New Yawkas. HATE will neva' win here. Neva'!
As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo so elegantly stated a mere hour or so after the attack (paraphrasing): the situation is under control. LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
And, we did.
THIS is the New York State of Mind.
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