Some people say they’re from Huntington. Some people say they’re from Ashland. Some people say they’re from Portsmouth. Some people say they’re from Ironton.
Some people identify as a West Virginian. Some people identify as an Ohioan. Some people identify as a Kentuckian.
Some people say they’re from eastern Kentucky. Some people say they’re from northeastern Kentucky. Some people say they’re from southern Ohio. I don’t think anybody says they’re from western West Virginia, because that would sound redundant.
Some people say they’re from Scioto County, or Lawrence County, or Cabell County, or Boyd County, or any of the ten counties that make up our region.
Some people identify with Appalachia as a region. I will always support whatever identity people cling onto, but I think we should build a new regional identity.
An identity that looks to the future, and embraces new ways of thinking. An identity that harbors acceptance for all people. An identity that we can be proud of, and put the outdated, negative labels behind us.
I propose that we cling to Kyova as an identity. When I’m traveling back from a state like Virginia or South Carolina, and I see the signs for Milton on Interstate 64, I know that I’m home, even though West Virginia isn’t my home state.
When I’m traveling from north of Columbus, and I see the signs for Portsmouth on US 23, I know that I’m home, even though Ohio isn’t my home state.
When I’m traveling on Interstate 64 from west of Lexington, and I see signs for Grayson, I know that I’m home, even though Grayson isn’t my hometown.
These places are familiar to us. When you live in an interconnected region like our tri-state area, you don’t solely exist in one of the bureaucratic borders. I know plenty of people who live in Ashland and work in Ironton or Huntington, and vice versa.
The cities and towns that make up our region are so closely connected and because of this, they’re all pretty familiar to us. The familiarity is what makes a place home, and because of that I can say that a city like Huntington or a city like Portsmouth is also my home.
Home is where the heart is, and my heart is in this beautiful region called Kyova. Think about it, and the next time you’re on vacation or you’re out of town for work and you’re asked where you’re from, tell them Kyova! The worst that can happen is they ask for more specification, and the best that can happen is they plan a trip here to visit our wonderful forests, our gorgeous lakes, and our hardworking local businesses.
Sounds like a win-win to me.