Youngstown, Ohio is not known for its many positive qualities, even by many of its citizens. This negative attitude towards the city that has recently been listed as the ninth worst city in America is one that originated in the early eighties, after the steel industry pulled out of the area, leaving the community without another industry to support itself. In the aftermath, much crime ensued. In recent years, though, the Youngstown community has been trying to resurrect itself, and one person who is combating the negative stereotypes of this city is Phil Kidd, the man behind the Defend Youngstown project. Kidd grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, but attended college at Youngstown State University. After some years spent in the armed services, Kidd returned to Youngstown because of his affection for and faith in the city. Kidd has decided to fight the negative image of Youngstown by replacing it with an image of community awareness and personal responsibility.
To do this, Kidd has created the Defend Youngstown logo, a steel worker swinging a sledgehammer, which pays homage to the city's working class past but also looks towards a future in which the citizenry demands progress for the city's future. To date, Kidd has sold over 2000 shirts and stickers of the logo, finding that the new image he's promoting resonates not only with current community members, but also with those who have left the area behind, yet still hold high hopes for their former home.
For more information on Kidd and Defend Youngstown, visit the Defend Youngstown website.
1. Hello I'm a Y'town resident and would like to purchase a shirt. Who would I contact about buying them. I will be back in the Youngstown area next week. Please contact me via email jp.crockett@yahoo.com thanks
Posted at 1:57AM on Dec 15th 2006 by Justin