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By Victoria Allen, Class of 2016
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| Victoria Allen |
This summer I had the opportunity to spend a little time in our nation’s capital. I lived in the trendy area of Foggy Bottom, and I spent two and a half months living the dream by way of a fellowship with the Library of Congress. Although my time in DC was brief, it gave me one of the most important and poignant experiences of my life. My stint in the District of Columbia was my first time spending a considerable amount of time outside of Kentucky, and it affirmed a sneaking suspicion I have been nurturing since I began college: I cannot leave Kentucky.
Of course I am physically able to leave the state, and every once in a while I like to meander out of its borders to see the rest of the country and the world, but Kentucky is my home. This was a particularly shocking revelation to me; I had never considered myself a Kentuckian with the intent to remain so. When I became old enough to be cynical, I always figured that I would leave the state. I suppose I fancied myself as a Southern apostate. I relished the opportunity of this past summer, ready to start planting roots in another place, starting the transition of my life from the Bluegrass. The experience I got was completely different.
I enjoyed Washington, DC. I loved how urban and fast-paced it was. I loved having access to some of the best museums and art galleries in the country at my fingertips. I loved living in the thrall of American history. But it wasn’t enough. For every joyous experience I had, it only made me miss Kentucky more. I had secretly always hoped that my professional ambitions would find a place in the Capitol, but I now know that will never be the case for me. During my stay in DC, I spent a lot of time introducing myself to people and telling them where I am from. Imagine my surprise when I realized how ferociously proud I am of the state. While listening to myself describe my home I had a miraculous epiphany: to me there was never going to be anything better.
Through deflecting stereotypes, tolerating condescension, and combatting general ignorance about Kentucky and the South in general, I became aware of how wed I am to my home. Kentucky is not the most progressive, most educated or the healthiest state. Kentucky consistently ranks in the bottom ten in several nationwide polls. However, there is a unique spirit and pride here that no other state can boast. There is so much to be done in Kentucky, so much that her native children can contribute. My time in our nation’s capital, my idealized dream home, gave me a monumental revelation: I will stay in Kentucky and work, because that is where my heart is. I know that I will never be able to be fulfilled personally or professionally if I’m forced to live my adult life outside of the Bluegrass state. I guess you can say I’m an unbridled spirit.
Victoria Allen is a sophomore McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. She is majoring in History and Political Science and minoring in Social Change.