Boston - An optimist's perspective

As someone who spent more than 16 years in the Boston area, watching Game 7 of the ALCS was heart breaking. I'm sure many people share this sentiment. I'd be feeling worse about it had I not been changing my view of Boston in recent years.

I've always felt that Boston had much room for improvement, mostly in terms of attitude. That neurotic inferior complex that has been gripping the psyche of Bostonians ever since the New Yorkers built the Erie Canal and setting New York on the course of becoming THE city on the Eastern seaboard has been plaguing Bostonians since then. People who know their history and geography know that for a long time, Boston was the most important city in this country. Many pivotal moments in US history took place in Boston. It gave birth to and developed some of the greatest minds who shaped this nation. Also, Boston is the closest port city to Europe on the western hemisphere and this allowed them to dominate American commerce and trade until that fateful canal was built.

With the rise of prominence of New York City, a rivalry grew. Sports, commerce, culture - it pervades all forms of interaction between the two cities. While outwardly loyal, Bostonians secretly acknowledge and resent New York's superiority. Also, Boston has always had the problem of being stuck in the past. Its temperament is very pre-Erie Canal puritan.

There are many ways in which Boston has fared better. Boston is the education capital of the country. Boston leads New York in many life statistics. For most of their respective history, Boston has had a better orchestra than New York, for one random distinction.

I must qualify this by saying that I, at times, feel like a closet New Yorker. I love the city. I feel so at home there. In most aspects, I would not hesitate in putting NYC over Boston. Before being labeled a Benedict Arnold, I do relish the day when Boston can rise up to these challenges.

What frustrated me when I was living in Boston was the constant observation of Boston's strive in besting New York was marred by this afore mentioned Boston complex. This caused countless lapses in judgement that kept Boston from achieving greatness.

Over the past few years, I've been noticing changes. There have been a growing contingent in Boston wanting to change. People no longer want it to be an insular "white" city where African-Americans all over the country referr to it as the northernmost Southern city due to its racism. People are embracing a new paradigm. People are increasingly focusing on Boston's cosmopolitan potential and its place as the technological hub of Eastern USA. For instance, you can find many fine examples of any culture or cuisine that you're looking for. This wasn't always possible nor expected from cities other than New York and San Francisco.

The most active and visible ambassadors for the city - Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, Boston Symphony Orchestra - have all embraced these sweeping changes without turning their backs on their place in history. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, once the most influential cultural entity in the US, has placed itself on the road to former glory by hiring James Levine as their musical director after decades of steady decline in quality and reputation under Seiji Ozawa.

All almost everyone knows, some much needed house cleaning on all aspects of the Patriots led to a Super Bowl victory and a team that continues to be competitive despite losing valuable veteran players.

The biggest excitement for me has been the Red Sox. One of the oldest and most venerable baseball teams has acquired new ownership who revamped the entire staff and embraced new ways to play successful baseball. Bringing in brilliant statisticians like Bill James has worked out incredibly well(I'm not so sure about the relief pitching by committee though).

As disheartening as the extra inning loss was, I'm looking forward to a team that can only get better as long as they stick to what they've been doing over the last couple of years. The state of Red Sox Nation is a strong barometer for my feelings about Boston in general. I am looking forward to much excitement from Boston in terms of culture, sports etc.

Stay tuned.....