Please do not take from this short narrative the idea that Kansans own no responsibility in this. The responsibility for this current state of affairs lies most heavily with us because we have passively allowed ourselves to become marginalized as a state and a region. We also must shoulder the burden of forging in a new direction and redeveloping a sense of who we are. The history of Kansas is unique, significant, valid, and also that of the United States. Due to a less fluid movement of people in and out than in other parts of the country, the percentage of Kansans with more than one generation of family history in the state is high.
Stewardship still has meaning and is a local value.
We have a lot to be proud of. This is who we are.