“Over the years, Clevelanders have had plenty of opinions about mine, but they’ve also made it clear that ours is a family argument. I’m grateful for the willingness of so many strangers to claim me, and I’m always trying not to let them down. Clevelanders are not shy about their expectations. One of my cherished possessions is a box full of cards and letters from readers who, on the biggest day of my career, wanted me to know they were (a) mighty proud and (b) worried that I might let the good news go to my head.” 

Read the rest of Connie Schultz’s essay, “Rust Belt Dreams” in its entirety here or here.