Commentaries

Youngstown must become more “autobiographical”. Our way forward relies on it. So let me explain why. I chose the word ‘Autobiography’ as a polite way of saying to anyone hearing this, that in my attempts to #DefendYoungstown, the city of my birth and full affection, that those attempts fully include a passion and drive to call out as many of the “outside” inaccuracies and “damaging” accounts of life here in the city of Youngstown as I can.

Once again as a nation we find ourselves in a crisis of compassion. In the wake of

the government shutdown, the closing of car plants, the uncertain economy,

some of our family and friends are in trouble. And it is in times like these when we

are called by whatever we believe in to become more than we are, to be our best

selves. It is in times like these we see people’s hearts. And sometimes it is

disappointing.

While I have my opinions on all of the crises we face, this is not a political

I work in a building filled with statues and monuments. There are statues of famous people who have touched our lives by the way they led their own. There are windows that remind us of events in our history, ancient and modern. There are plaques dedicated to loved ones who died serving our country or who died as children, dedicated to those who generously gave of themselves and should be remembered.