Open Letter: You Need To Be Born Here To Be A Montanan

Recently I ran across an article on Distinctly Montana that's had me thinking. Then Nick publishes this article:

An Open Letter To Montana Born Residents: Will I Ever Be Accepted

It's a good read.

via GIPHY

Why You Must Be Born Here To Be A Montanan

For the guy writing for Distinctly Montana:

You mention how low the population of born-in-Montana residents there are in Montana.

There is the answer to the question in a nut-shell. So many transplants have come in and jacked things up, that yes, we ARE gatekeeping on the born in Montana thing. And we will continue to do so because there are so few of us left.

As a Montana native, (Just like you, sir), I also don't remember Montanans hating Californians this much. I think that's because the 1% hadn't come in and completely decimated our real estate prices then. Back in those days, people hated an individual, like Jane Fonda, not an entire state like California. But, like I said, things are changing. People associate the rich and famous with California even though they live everywhere. (Even here.)

As for the transplant moniker, it's not supposed to make you feel good. We don't do that here. You're responsible for your own happiness, transplant. If that bothers you, well, you know what we suggest.

And finally, Distinctly Montana Guy, no just being decent doesn't constitute being a Montanan.

via GIPHY

To Nick Northern:

I'm probably the worst to you besides that evil woman at the election party about being a Montanan.

You do embody the Montana way, your wife and children are Montanans, and sadly you're a South Dakotan. Or Montakotan. Or Dakotatan.

Honestly, of all my friends that weren't born here, you're the most Montana of them all.

Sources: KAAK, Distinctly Montana