You’ve heard of New York, and maybe you’ve heard of the state’s northern and western reaches—its “upstate” region. But you probably haven’t heard of Upstate America. Long-relegated to afterthought status beside its downstate neighbor, Upstate America is a collage of communities from Niagara Falls to New City, Plattsburgh to Prattsville. It encompasses the proud communities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany as well as the glorious Adirondacks and Catskills.
We must strengthen conscious pride in Upstate America. For too long its residents have felt loyalty to their particular corner without emphasizing the common ideals that cut across Upstate America. It’s time to move beyond that, and as we do so, build bridges with the hinterlands of other states.
