I noticed something recently.
Residents of Chicagoland, specifically those that do not live in Chicago proper, when asked where they live, respond "a suburb of Chicago." They don't say Naperville, Joliet, Arlington Heights, Evanston, etc. It's not that they are not proud of their hometowns; it's just easier and more associative to answer "a suburb of Chicago." Chicago, after all, got its "Windy City" moniker from its propensity to "toot its own horn," not its meteorological conditions.
Flip side and up here to Milwaukee, too many residents of the greater Milwaukee area -- when asked where they live -- answer with their suburban name sake: "Shorewood," "Whitefish Bay," Waukesha," "New Berlin" or whatnot.
Why, fellow Milwaukeeans do we not proudly say, "I'm from a suburb of Milwaukee!"? Obviously, if you know the person who asks and you are both from greater Milwaukee -- then feel free to answer with your suburb of choice. But, I'd prefer you say, "Shorewood, a Northern suburb of Milwaukee." I fully realize, though, that this is asking a lot.
But, it's important since Milwaukee is the economic heart of Wisconsin. All things, good and bad, stem from it. As it goes, so goes our region. We all need to ban together and collectively be from "Milwaukee!" No disrespect to the burbs, and --- trust me -- I get that there are times when parochialism is truly needed. It's okay to say "I'm from a suburb of Milwaukee, Shorewood" or "I'm from Milwaukee's Third Ward neighborhood." Be parochial if you must, just be true to Milwaukee.
Truth and full disclosure, I'm from Wauwatosa. Proud of my Tosa roots, but when asked where I'm from, I always respond "Milwaukee!" I feel a moral responsibility to trumpet my city and I think you should, too.
So, the next time someone asks where you are from please answer, "Milwaukee" (if you live in the city, like me) or if not, "a suburb of Milwaukee."
Trust me, this small action can and will have big rewards. A rise in greater Milwaukee tides lifts all city and suburban boats.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
