It's one thing to have pride over where you're from -- it's another to lord it over someone in an elitist attempt at exclusion.
I also blame capitalism and commercialism.
In most stores in SF, you find "Born SF!" and "Born CA!", "Grown Local" T-shirts and even baby onesies. As if it really matters where you're born. Yes, SF trinkets are popular for tourists and visitors to CA love the Yosemite and Redwood tree items.
It's all made in China, of course but it's supposed to be designed "locally".
But what if those items said "Born And Raised US", "Made in the USA" or "Grown in USA"? That would be a bit strange wouldn't it? Especially since the Trump administration has used ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) to oust immigrant workers, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients and even taxpayers.
See Detroit Free Press article: "After 30 years in U.S., Michigan Dad deported to Mexico" by Niraj Warikoo, January 15th, 2018. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2018/01/15/jorge-garcia-daca-deported-mexico-immigration/1033296001/
My mind flashes back also to those "American Flags" people use so much in Patriotism -- which are all made in China.
Read The Atlantic article here by Michael D. Breidenbach, July 4th, 2018: "Raising the American Flag Made in China", https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/07/raising-the-american-flag-made-in-china/564293/ .
Borders and nationalism have been a contentious issue of late.
All this "I was born and raised" stuff also makes for a contentious race problem. East Bay and Oakland is known as the "black" area. SF has become the whitest city, with many POC homeless now on the street, due to their housing being demolished in favor of million dollar condos and luxury apartments.
The Fulton 555 being constructed now, is right across from low-income and Section 8 housing off Laguna. The Fulton 555 "luxury" apartment/condos are out of the price range for the average worker in SF who makes above-minimum wage ($18-20 an hour). Their website doesn't even show the cost of the units.
Saying you're "Born And Raised" in SF has become an elitist status symbol, along with the neighborhood you live in. Whatever you do, don't say you're from Bayview. The area of Bayview and Hunter's Point is the "outside" land of SF, which was made famous in the movie, "The Last Black Man in San Francisco" (2019). It's also known for it's marginalized population of black people. The 19 Polk bus connects Hunter's Point with Hyde Street Pier and Fisherman's Wharf.
Pollution has ruined the area of Hunter's Point and has caused a massive health concern among residents. The city of San Francisco has yet to make full reparations and clean-up efforts have been slow. Although parts of Hunter's Point are already facing the dreaded "gentrification" as more investors seek real estate to pour their money into. The future environmental problem remains to be seen as the area was known for it's toxic waste.
As we are becoming aware (again) of our fragile world-wide ecosystem with the climate crisis and environmental catastrophes happening, perhaps a good motto would be "Born And Raised Earth".
How nice it would be to see a phrase that unites us as a species in a world-wide platform, one without borders, race, economic class status and one that recognizes the fragile place we hold together.
For all I know there is indeed a T-shirt that says, "Born And Raised Earth". I would like to see more of them.
The next time someone asks me where I'm from, I'll say, "Earth". I have a lot of pride about where I'm from.
