Please go away, Boston Strong!

[Chemisse]

I get angry every time I hear someone reference Boston Strong. Since I am living in Mass and like to hear the news, this is happening daily. The local news outlets have it in banners, accompanied by dramatic music, and simply cannot say it often enough.


I hate 'Boston Strong' for so many reasons:

1. The phrase doesn't make any sense. Which one is the noun? Does it mean Boston is strong, or Boston is a type of strong? If it's the former, it sounds like a 2 year old who hasn't learned to include verbs in her sentences yet (ie it sounds stupid).

2. It's self-congratulatory in a sickening way. Do they really think that other communities would have reacted differently to the bombings? That only in Boston would they have pursued and captured the bombers? Perhaps others cities would have shuttered themselves and sobbed quietly?

3. It evokes a mindless emotion, a false solidarity based on a shared crisis or common enemy. This is the emotion that rears up during football games or drives patriotism in times of war. It is described by social psychology. A thoughtful society should not be driven by its animal emotions.

4. It has been shamelessly commercialized, as expressed by The Boston Globe, "In the weeks since the Boston Marathon bombings, the 'Boston Strong' slogan, once a spontaneous expression of defiance and civic pride, has evolved into something of a brand, applied to charitable ventures, available on T-shirts sold at drugstores, wielded on Twitter and at sporting events."

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/05/09/the-beginning-of-a-boston-strong-branding-backlash/

The only positive thing I can say about the zeal that brought us Boston Strong is that it has prompted news outlets to portray the victims as minor celebrities. It no longer startles me to see an amputee on the tv screen. And that is a very good thing. If only the same had been done for the many war veterans who lost limbs in the Middle East.

[madaboutharry]

1. We live in a commercialized culture,

everything needs a slogan. I agree, it's all kind of shallow and sad.

[GreenEyedLefty]

22. I would go farther and say everything needs a brand.

I'm so sick of "branding."

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

96. I'm so sick of "branding."

Is that your positioning statement?

[GreenEyedLefty]

97. Touche

[Scairp]

72. It is

And it makes a real tragedy into the ridiculous. I wish they would cut it out already.

[canoeist52]

2. You're not alone. I'm from MA and I'm with you on this.

[aikoaiko]

3. I don't understand the hate and concern over something so insignificant

[Chemisse]

5. Call it a pet peeve.

It may seem to be insignificant - and really it is in the grand scheme - but it annoys the heck out of me, mostly for reason #3.

[magical thyme]

8. if something is in your face all the time, it gets a little old

and pretty obnoxious.

I don't read the OP as hate, so much as "enough already" with an for good measure.

[Blue_Adept]

11. Pretty much.

It was expected with it being the first anniversary and that "all in" approach that the media and some enthusiastic supporters will take, for their cause or just because of how they're wired. I'm expecting it to go down a lot from here on out once we get past this marathon.

[MADem]

43. +1 nt

[roody]

65. I think it is disgust over trivializing,

even celebrating a horrible anniversary.

[BeyondGeography]

4. The chant we do in New York is more fitting

Just kiddin' ya, Bostons. Sort of.

Once you saw it with the Red Sox logo in the "B Strong" form, you knew it would be around forever and shamelessly commercialized.

[boston bean]

6. The reason I am not fond of it, is because it's seems a knock off of Livestrong.

[karynnj]

31. Or more directly, Vermont Strong - that started with Hurricane Irene (I think)

- I wish Cali were back - she would know! http://vtstrong.vermont.gov/

[Blue_Adept]

7. Same here

When we started getting the week long lead-up to the marathon with all the events and full days news coverage of it, it leapt easily past the ridiculous level.

I'm sure it has significance to many people who experienced issues because of the event, but it quickly (within a week or two of originally gaining exposure) became too much. It's just a constant stream at times and it practically borders on the offensive at times with how it's being utilized.

You get this in any place with tragedies that happen - I can only imagine what New Yorkers had to deal with in regards to 9/11 solidarity sloganeering and such as it was enough to drive me batty just on the national level - but it's just so constant and in your face now that you tune it out and just ignore it as best as you can. Just reminds me why I ignore national and local news broadcasts. I couldn't believe WCVB spent an entire day on programming for it last week.

[BeyondGeography]

10. What we had was the fetishization of first responders, particularly the Fire Department

which did lose 343 people that day. Caps and team merchandise adapting their logos; you can still buy that stuff. But, as in the case of Boston Strong, it didn't come from nowhere. It occupies less and less shelf space over time. Healing happens.

[randome]

9. Sure, in the end it simply celebrates the fact that some people did NOT get blown up.

But it's part of the healing process, too.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]"If you're bored then you're boring." -Harvey Danger[/center][/font][hr]

[MH1]

20. I'd say it's more than that.

It celebrates that the Boston community stood together during a crisis, took care of people who needed taking care of in sometimes heroic ways, but also this: they NAILED THE M*****F***ERS. Right there and then.

WITHOUT requiring years, trillions of dollars, more loss of innocent life, and invading another country.

They got 'em. Don't f*ck with Boston.

(and I'm not even from Boston. But I'll give them this.)

[drynberg]

90. My thoughts exactly, plus all this gestering is a form of...

Whistling in the dark...all these folks are reclaiming their city and the feeling of safety at an event such as the Marathon. Of course the commercialization is way too much, but all these "Boston Strong" logos on items were purchased by free will consumers, just not some of us.

[intaglio]

12. I thought you were writing about a beer n/t

[Boom Sound 416]

13. It's America

Just wait two weeks.

[Chemisse]

47. Well that's the thing. I've waited a year, and it's still going strong.

[Boom Sound 416]

63. Then consider yourself lucky

And perhaps repost in one of those 'I have a first world problem' threads.

I'm sure the families devastated would be happy to swap with you, as well.

[Raven]

14. If you are deeply connected to Boston, the Marathon and the event of last year,

"Boston Strong" is not annoying. Commercializing it and belittling what happened is.

[KamaAina]

89. I figure your son will check in at some point.

This will NOT make him happy.

[secondwind]

15. Boston person here.... lived there until last August. We lived 3 blocks from the Finish Line. I

found the words BOSTON STRONG helped me tremendously in the days and weeks following the bombings. It was everywhere, on our buses, and painted on walls on Boylston Street.

BOSTON STRONG... love it.

[Chemisse]

48. I'm glad it is helping people who were in the thick of things.

That makes it easier to take.

[onenote]

16. Really. The first thing you list is a grammatical complaint?

You must find reading this board very difficult at times.

[Chemisse]

49. Lol - they were not listed in order of significance.

But yes, I find bad grammar mildly annoying in general. But more so if it's going to be screamed from the rooftops.

[The Wizard]

17. Sounds like

it could be s kind of coffee or bathtub whiskey from the Prohibition era. Or in modern parlance, a strain of Cannabis Indica.

[mythology]

18. I find it interesting that the Boston Globe remarked on the commercialization of the term

Considering my boss has a picture from the Boston Globe upon the Red Sox winning the World Series titled "Boston Strongest"

[Chemisse]

50. Well let's hope that means the editorial department does not dictate the headlines.

It's likely a minority opinion among their many editorial pieces.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

106. The owner of the Red Sox, John Henry, owns the Globe

Bought the majority of it last year.

[perdita9]

19. Boston Strong better than Wallow in Fear....

...which is what we got after 9/11.

I like that we are getting a lot of positive energy out of a horrific crime.

Good for, Boston, in setting up an example on how we should all behave after a terrorist attack.

[MADem]

44. This, exactly. nt

[progressoid]

70. We wallowed in fear after 9/11?

[Skittles]

71. 90% of the people rallied behind that war mongering bastard bush

so YES

[progressoid]

73. I guess that's not the definition of 'wallow' than I'm used to.

[Skittles]

74. their fear and complacency enabled that bastard to start two wars

I'd put that in WALLOWING territory

[progressoid]

81. I'd agree to that. And that it was THEIR fear and complacncy.

A fair number of us were doing the opposite.

[perdita9]

87. Remember the run on duct tape and plastic sheeting?

Or how about the time John Kerry was making a speech and the Bush administration raised the terror threat level? Bush/Cheney used fear as a weapon and Americans fell for it, all too easy.

[JanMichael]

98. true but the branders would say "Wallow B" or BF.

It is like baby bump. One has to shorten it to shallowness.

[snooper2]

102. We didn't wallow in fear lol, we went SHOPPING!

[Hoppy]

21. We had "Jersey Strong" after the hurricane. That lasted a few months.

I guess no one could figure out how to make $$ off of it (except for a few tee shirts and a couple of billboards.

[Fred Sanders]

23. Mass self delusion that two crazy men equals a terrorist attack equals 9/11 and Boston acted SO

Differently than NY....essentially media created, bought and sold commercialization of a tragedy that worked out well for the job creators, not so well for those having to be constantly reminded that it was not them that died or were maimed.

Keeping up the fear has always been profitable.

[GoneFishin]

26. "Keeping up the fear has always been profitable". You nailed it!

If the police had invaded my neighborhood with military style tactics, and I was too stupid to notice that they had parlayed a violent criminal act into a psychological experiment on how to get the masses to surrender their civil rights, I probably would want to forget about it as soon as possible.

They could have simply asked for the public's help using TV and radio, and the public would have been eager to help. And, they would have accomplished just as much.

[Chemisse]

51. That's another thing that bugs me. Worldwide, the Boston attack was a minor incident.

Many other cities have been and continue to be attacked in horrific ways. The heavy emphasis on the marathon bombings as an earth-shattering event must evoke bitter derision from those who suffer loss of life from terrorists regularly.

[Fred Sanders]

83. The same month 100 Iraqi's were blown away in their daily lives......America's overreaction was

noticed everywhere else. And it is month after month after month in Iraq.

[Capt. Obvious]

84. In the time it took you to post that

13 feral cats died in flash floods.

[Demo_Chris]

24. Watching the response from a distance I see the phrase as ironic over compensation...

With the exception of the actual victims, the response to this attack wasn't simply weak, it was so shockingly and terrifyingly craven that much of the rest of the country was left wondering what the hell was wrong with the locals over there..

When viewed in light of what the people of Boston actually DID, the phrase seems more the type of thing an embarrassed parent might tell a nine year old who wet their pants in on the Carousel, "You're such a brave little guy! You're Midway Strong!" The difference being that the police don't arrive with guns and tanks to yank down the pants of every middle-schooler at the fair and demand they too don Huggies -- that being something the 'Boston Strong' crowd would no doubt celebrate.

Strong? The proper phrase should be "Boston Embarrassed!"

But that's just my opinion.

[Bragi]

94. Hah! Midway Strong! nt

[snooper2]

103. They had them surruonded in a shootout in the street and the dude got away in the SUV

I thought that was fail right there

[Thor_MN]

25. Imagine it in the Hulk's voice. Boston Strong!!!

Maybe add Hulk Smash!!!

[Chemisse]

52. Oh, of course. That makes it much more tolerable - lol.

[kxs]

27. Raven is the one who "nailed it."

"Boston Strong" by itself, during the first week was anything but annoying (I live in Boston). But what has been done to what was once a useful (in terms of dealing with the crisis) slogan, is what is truly bothersome. But in the scheme of things it is just a minor irritant in my book - I just don't buy anything with it and move on. I prefer to spend my time blasting the policies of the GOP since in addition to annoying me, they hurt me - and millions of other Americans. If it wasn't "Boston Strong" it'd probably end up to be something I hate even more.

[MineralMan]

28. It's just a slogan that expresses

community solidarity. If you don't like it, don't use it. That's my advice.

[Agschmid]

39. +1

[Chemisse]

54. I never use it - lol. And I'd rather not hear it 50 times a day as well.

Hopefully it will die out after the anniversary passes. It's been a long year.

[MineralMan]

55. Lots of annoying stuff out there.

I just ignore it.

[karynnj]

29. Before the marathon terrorism, there were license plates in VT saying VT Strong

I am sure of the timing because they were there before we lived here and I was told that they were a response to Hurricane Irene's destruction. The message was obvious - that the state and its people were both tough -and more importantly - a community that would band together to fix what was broken.

I think Boston Strong was very similar - a strong community that used this slogan to say that they would get past this and not let it change who they were.

As to the commerial use of the slogan -- it is sad to hear that much of that merchandise does not benefit the town or the people hurt in the bombing.

[Jesus Malverde]

30. To me "boston strong" means cower in place...

Then come out when we say so, only then, a civilian reports the hiding bomber.

The narrative is of the great police hunt but in reality the bomber was caught by a civilian tip after the cower in place order was lifted.

[Bragi]

93. Exactly!

Keep your hands up, lie down on your lawn, and smile while we search your house. Any problem with that?

[NJCher]

32. You bring up an exceptionally good point(s)

This needed to be said.


Cher

[VScott]

33. Should be "Boston Weak" - "Watertown Weak"

I live about two blocks from where the shootout took place... where the cops shot and almost killed one of their own guys.
Fortunately, I wasn't home at the time so I didn't have to "shelter in place.
I did however have to wait about 6 hours before I was allowed to reenter the danger zone.
Just as well, I didn't feel like dealing with the bullshit.

From my perspective, the police response was waaaay over the top.
The public response was predictable and a bit frightening.
It merely confirmed my beliefs and observations of how we've become too accepting and welcoming of the militarization
of the police state, and willingness to cooperate and comply with it.

[Jesus Malverde]

36. Yep, thats my sense too...nt

[Tracer]

80. Once again, I agree with you.

Closing down the whole city was a complete over reaction.

My son lives in Watertown, and took some photos of a SWAT team in his backyard. Thankfully, they weren't shooting at his house, as they did a couple of blocks away.

[dionysus]

100. Watertown was.. interesting... i spent several weeks doing contract work at Knowlton

a few years back...

[Gormy Cuss]

34. I agree on the commercialization, but not the other points

It has emerged as a rallying phrase just as "Let's roll" did after 9/11. In the short term it is cathartic for those traumatized by the event. In the long term, it will die out just as "Let's roll" has.

#1, it means both that Boston is a strong community and that Boston strength is a special brand. If you've never lived in other areas you may not recognize the latter. That ties into #2. I would say emphatically that other communities would have reacted differently in many ways small and large. Sure, everyone would pursue the bombers. Not every community though would want to openly and repeatedly tell such malcontents to buzz off .
As for #3, I don't think it's evoking a false solidarity --it's evoking the short-term, crisis-based solidarity of a community needing to heal. That's why as I wrote above, "Boston strong" will die out just as "Let's roll" did.

--Gormy, former long term Bostonian.

[Chemisse]

57. Thanks. You make good points.

[Smarmie Doofus]

35. What are you doing inside my head?

Best DU post of the month.

We (NYC) went thru a lot of the same dysfunctional reaction after 9/11. The simple minded , self congratulatory, jingoistic mentality that spiked then led to three terms of Bloomberg and a second term for Bush. Point: there are real-life significant political consequences to this type of taking leave of our COLLECTIVE senses.

>>>This is the emotion that rears up during football games or drives patriotism in times of war. It is described by social psychology. A thoughtful society should not be driven by its animal emotions.>>>>>

Indeed. Oh yeah.

Q.: Did Biden's ridiculous performance the other day prompt this post?

[MADem]

42. Ridiculous performance? He got great reviews. His speech was a barn-burner.

The only people I know who didn't like it aren't fans of Joe, anyway.

[Chemisse]

58. No, I didn't see Biden.

This has bugged me, and I have time since I'm on vacation.

[pipi_k]

37. Being out in the western part

of the state, many of us feel like we don't matter.

We're like the ugly stepchild...mainly ignored unless we put up a stink, which I think we don't do often enough, but anyway...

Like any saying that ends up getting overused, it's become a bit annoying, but mostly embarrassing.

But I think its use will fade more and more as time goes on.

[Agschmid]

38. I'm cool with it.

[rustydog]

40. It is a catch phrase, a marketing tool

We had a devastating mudslide in our area killing dozens...the OSO mudslide.
signs everywhere: Oso Strong...

It is a marketing thing. it does help generate support, money for relief, raise awareness etc.

[Chemisse]

59. Oso strong? I like that; it's funny and makes grammatical sense.

[MADem]

41. Turn off your TV and go sweep the sidewalk or walk the dog or volunteer at Goodwill or something.

Or just pick up the remote and change the channel if you don't want to get off the couch.

Why begrudge people something they find helpful?

When people are tired of the theme, they'll let the media know. It generates espirit de corps...even if you aren't feeling it.

I still get a kick out of seeing that uncensored clip of Papi telling the crowd at Fenway whose city it is. Not to everyone's taste...but it suits me fine.

[quinnox]

45. Yup, its just like the "United We Stand!" bullshit after 9/11

And its another example of how the media plays up America as victims, but doesn't mention the many victims of America's military and wars such as the "war on terror".

Why don't we ever hear about them? Why do people want to attack America in the first place?

[Chemisse]

61. If just a fraction of the attention paid to these unfortunate victims

(which I do not begrudge at all - I think it's great) were paid to returning veterans who suffered the same fate, I think there would be a reduction in the tragic suicide rate and perhaps an easing of the PTSD they endure.

[GoCubsGo]

46. #4 is what really irks me.

Whenever some sports fan from another city produced a poster or t-shirt stating "Boston strong. 'My city' stronger", they would become apoplectic, screaming that this person was exploiting a tragedy. Yet, they've been silent whenever Boston fans use the slogan, or when their teams parade around bombing victims during pre-game ceremonies. I guess when they do it, it's not exploiting a tragedy, only when outsiders do it?

[jberryhill]

53. We give terrorists and attention seekers what they want

[Gidney N Cloyd]

56. It seems helpful as a community rallying cry but I'll certainly give you #4.

As for #1, I don't think it's any worse than 'Minnesota Nice'

[Chemisse]

62. LOL! It's not just nice, it's Minnesota Nice!

[alarimer]

91. Minnesota "nice" being the very definition of passive-aggressive.

What to say when you don't like something: "That's different."

Or it's like "Bless your heart" in the south." THAT really means "F you."

[suston96]

60. Years ago. October 2001.....

.....I went to Sicily in a group travel from Boston. Sicily is my birthplace and I just wanted to visit and see the place where I was born. My mother brought me to America when I was just 8 months old.....

But on with the story.....

We went out in a group to a restaurant featuring native Sicilian costumes and dances. As a group, we looked and sounded very American.

Before the dancers started, the leader of the Sicilian dancers looked at us and held up his hand in a V for victory sign and loudly urged us Americans, in Sicilian:

"State forte, Americani!" Be strong, Americans!

So when the Boston "Be strong" came around, I understood what was being said. In my own way, of course....

That trip to my birthplace just after 9/11 2001, and a very thoughtful Sicilian dancer..........

[Logical]

64. Here is what I remember, two lone nuts shut down a whole city for a full day. nt

[Amaya]

66. +1000 … I live in Boston

and it's completely obnoxious ….

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

67. It has been shamelessly commercialized

Especially by the worst hucksters in the city, down on Yawkey Way.

[bobGandolf]

76. I agree! n/t

[Doctor_J]

68. I do find it rather tacky to use terrorists and their victims as props at sporting

events. But we live in a culture with almost no shame, so I just ignore it

[arely staircase]

69. hmm

1). seems to be an adjective modifying another adjective with an implied noun and verb (we are, maybe?)

2). Well one of the best ways to be resilient is to reassure yourself.

3). Typical human (primate?) survival reaction. sure other great apes don't have language but I think most do rally as a group when threatened (again. I think).

4). Sounds like it has been shamelessly commercialized.

I don't live there so I will defer to you.

That's my two cents.

[Jesus Malverde]

75. Bump..nt

[liberal N proud]

77. Everything is over done these days - Boston Strong is just one more example

No matter what it is, they keep it in you face until you are just sick of it.

I am with you on this and so many other phrases the media uses as propaganda to persuade us.

[alarimer]

92. This is why I don't like any of those slogans or phrases.

And if you dare to disagree, you are pilloried for it.

And then I was hearing about the over-the-top security response today. I would never have gone anywhere near that place under those circumstances. Not because I'm afraid of crowds, but because I'm tired of the security state.

Hell, our bags were searched going into the Air and Space Museum yesterday. Somehow we have just blindly accepted this assault on freedom in the name of "security." Never mind that it will make no difference at all.

[Capt. Obvious]

78. Just in time for the first Marathon since that day

[JustAnotherGen]

79. I've been seeing Jersey Strong

For a couple of years now - I totally get what you are saying here.

I have a friend running today - just because she is defiant and refuses to back down from a 'fight'. She's from Boston (Now lives in Long Island) - but I've not seen one "Boston Strong" image/words on her social networking sites. I'm sponsoring her - because she's also running for a cause on the side.

[ScreamingMeemie]

82. There is no "West Strong..." 10 (5 volunteer) first responders...dead.

15 people in total. A year ago last week. Created by corporate greed.

That is where my heart and head have been. With a town actually destroyed.

[merrily]

85. I get it. BUT, it seems to comfort the amputees and inspire others to help them

in a variety of ways.

The marathon bombing was not a loss of 3000 lives. Still, a terrorist attack is a shock to people who live in the area--and I live in, as they say, "Boston proper." So, on balance, even though I share some of your thought on it, I'd rather see "Boston Strong" used than not.

As for those who see to profit selfishly from use of the slogan, no words. Same is true about so much of unmitigated personal greed. Like General Motors deciding to send potentially deadly cars into the country, rather than use a relatively cheap fix. (I think someone said $.22 a car?) But, almost anything can be, and often is, exploited for personal gain.

[Xyzse]

86. I can understand. However...

I am not one to begrudge people their means of coping or whatever gives them comfort.

That is, unless it is self destructive or hurts any one.
So, something like this, even if it can get annoying, I tend to ignore or support depending on how much it helps.

[Orsino]

88. The illusion of strength worshiped by so many Americans is stupid...

...but Boston Strong seems at worst to be a relatively innocuous example. I have no problem with it.

[callous taoboy]

99. Out here in Luckenbach, Tx

it's, "We're all here cuz we're not all there."

[DanTex]

101. I didn't think anyone actually lived in Luckenbach anymore!

[DirkGently]

104. Should irritate would-be terrorists too though.

To the extent there's a cheese factor, I would think someone hoping to terrify and horrify people with a bloody assault like the Boston bombing would be even more appalled than if the city just slowly recovered and moved on.

"Aha, my terrorist brethren, the anniversary of our brutal deed approaches. What wailing comes from our victim, the city of Boston?"

"Er. They're making, like hoodies and things."

"Hoodies to hide their fear? Hoodies of mourning and prostrate agony and suffering?"

"No. Just hoodies. They say, 'Boston strong.' It's kind of a slogan about recovering. It's everywhere, like an ad jingle, sort of? People seem to like it. You, know, the kids. It's pretty jaunty, though perhaps a bit glib ..."

"Oh Jesus. Or whomever. You know what I mean. Just ... just f*ck it."

[yuiyoshida]

105. CHEERS!