While I have lived in Barberton for nearly two decades, I have worked outside the City until being given the privilege of leading this Foundation.
In that time, I was often on the “business end” of people’s opinions about our community.
At first many people who shared their opinions about Barberton did not know I live here and love it here. Those folks were the most “authentic” about their views and were often degrading and negative toward our Magic City.
One person I was interviewing for a position at my former company – who lived in Barberton and wished to work for my company – said “I live in Barberton but I’m looking to leave as soon as possible.” I did not understand the shame they felt.
Needless to say, the interview did not go well for them!
As more people began to be aware that I was a proud Barbertonian, they still shared their thoughts but in a more guarded way. They were still poking fun at O.C. Barber’s town whenever they saw the chance.
I have also heard from fellow Barberton residents who have poked fun at our community, or make fun of it.
Making fun of our community to others, or expressing shame about being here, is something I bet we all hear more than we’d like.
We have to stop doing this.
Every time Barberton people are in the news, on the radio, when we post on social media, what we say when we are at a Rubber Ducks game, a Cleveland Cavaliers game, or just out and about in our region, we must remember that what we say and do matters.
The truth we all have to confront is that people make judgments about us every day. Actually, not just judgments about us, but about our hometown, too. All of these judgments are based on what we say and do.
So why give them a reason to judge us harshly?
My question to you is, “are you proud of how you represent Barberton to others?”
When someone jokes about Barberton, do you join in? Do you agree with them? Do you say things like “well, I live there now but I’m looking to leave as soon as possible.”
If you do, I invite you to choose to be proud of our community.
“How?” You may ask.
Here are a few things that I feel proud of about Barberton, maybe you can pick something from this list.
Barberton has one of the most respected school districts in the state of Ohio, where administrators and teachers speak all over the state about the Do Your Job curriculum, the advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity programs, the commitment to developing a workforce for the region, how it works with gifted and high achieving kids (Barberton Early College programs in both high school and middle school – wow!) kids, and all while maintaining strong overall academic performance despite numerous challenges.
Barberton has a rich cultural history you benefit from every time you eat chicken here, visit an ethnic club or favorite bar, every time you go to church, or attend a high school sport or event.
Who isn’t proud of John Cominsky who plays football for the Detroit Lions (get well soon, John!)? Who wasn’t proud of 3x Olympic Gold Medalist Jeep Davis before him? I could go on and on with sports…
While detours and orange cones can be temporarily inconvenient, who isn’t proud of the progress our community is making on our roads, in our downtown, and in our ability to attract and retain a strong business community?
Barberton’s leadership works hard at working together, taking on important initiatives for economic development, community development, and more by exploring how everyone’s strengths can shine and how expenses can be shared responsibly.
Next time someone questions why you live in Barberton or are on the business end of a nasty comment, tell them what you love about our community!
I embrace my role as Barberton Ambassador and invite you to embrace it as well.
Let’s all try and remember that we all are Barberton Ambassadors!
If you need to feel inspiration to work at being a Barberton Ambassador, take it from the current United States Ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy. She was born and raised in Barberton!
In Community,
Josh Gordon
