Richmond Pride

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Anove: Me at the Jeff Davis statue in Hollywood Cemetery, 1984.

I was not born in Richmond, but I remember my early visits as a very young child going to see my grandmother in her apartment on Park Ave in The Fan. When we'd visit, she'd make us all some Ring Tum Diddy and we'd have Custard ice cream for dessert made by "Richfood". I remember the sights and smells of Richmond. Mostly magnolias and crepe myrtle drenched in heat and humidity, and large statues of heroes from the past with large white columned mansions on an elegant thoroughfare. The vibe of Richmond was that you were so immersed in the Confederacy. No other city was like it. It was so distinctive, so very Richmond. You can't really put your finger on what makes Richmond so Richmond. You can go to Charleston, Savannah, or newer cities such as Nashville , Charlotte, and Atlanta. None of them has such a a distinctiveness as Richmond does. I don't think any other Southern city has such a mystique. And the fact that its relatively North within the South, makes it even more magnetic and unique. Twelve generations of my family called Richmond and her land, home. Its in my blood. So whether or not born here , I feel I can claim Richmond as much as any native can. And in some ways more, as in so many are born here today with little ties to it at all. Style Weekly, a local Richmond rag used to run an excerpt every year called "You're Very Richmond If". I found it really interesting to read. Because its so true!

Here are some of the submissions taken from that text, and others are just simply from personal experience.

YOU'RE VERY RICHMOND IF:

-You live in the West End

-Your first name sounds like a last name

-Your idea of multiculturalism is inviting someone from Chesterfield county to your dinner party

-You remember when the Landmark Theater was "The Mosque"

-When you're in a room with other Richmonders you discover you're all somehow related

-You claim to be related to Pocohantas

-The very mention of the word "snow" and you rush to Ukrop's to buy bread and milk

-You refer to things as before the War and after the War

-You know that Shockoe Slip has nothing to do with women's underwear

-You know that the real Richmond is north of the "Rivah"

-You know at least one girl named Fontaine

-You reccommend all the wonderful local museums to out of towners that you never visit yourself.

-You have a pastor that ran off with the church collection plate

-You include NYC on your list of travel to "foreign countries"

-You think U. Of Richmond is the equivalent of Harvard

-When people ask you where you're from you simply say "Richmond"- as if there's only one

-You know that you should never tip the box boys at Ukrop's

-You once worked at Ukrop's a few summers during or after high school

-Whenever you change a light bulb, you pause a few moments to reflect on how great that old light bulb was

-You rarely swim in the James anymore, because you know its full of filth!

-When someone asks you about "Good Theater" in town, you refer them to the Byrd..

-You tend to avoid the following places: Jeff Davis Highway after dark, Gilpin Court (any time of day!), Eastern Chesterfield County, Petersburg, and Colonial Heights

-You pick up a copy of "Style Weekly" just to appear to be informed , but never read it anyway

-The Richmond Times Dispatch usually ends up on the bottom of your bird's cage

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