What are the defining moments and experiences that mark the transition from outsider to Bostonian? The answer to this question may go back further than we would like to admit — to Revolutionary times.
Boston’s identity has long been anchored in three things: sports, politics, and revenge, according to Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of social sciences at Boston University. “The Boston Tea Party has represented our cantankerous personality as a city,” Whalen said. “Politically, we do not like to be told what to do. And we will take matters to the extreme to ensure our independence.”
This rebellious spirit, Whalen said, has defined Boston for centuries, making it a city that demands respect and a bit of grit from anyone who wants to belong. But some would say it’s not that simple.
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