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A video went viral recently of a self-proclaimed NYC transplant claiming that NYC transplants should do volunteer work to atone for the sins of being NYC transplants. The response from X was extremely hostile to this take, with many people claiming that this self-effacing transplant attitude is unnecessary and strange.
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"Kareem Rahma: So what's your take?
Macy Gilliam: Every transplant should have to volunteer somewhere.
KR: 100% agree, I like that.
MG: Everyone should volunteer, but transplants need to put down roots; they need to get to know their community.
KR: Are you a transplant?
MG: Yes.
KR: And you volunteer?
MG: Yes, I volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
KR: Me too!
MG: Not to brag.
KR: I did it for like the first five years.
MG: You were a big? Isn't it so fun to be a big?
KR: Yes.
MG: We actually need a lot of male bigs right now.
KR: Actually, this is great because transplants have a bad reputation. Right, we need to clean up our reputation. I feel like I'm taking so much, I'd like to give some back.
MG: That's what I'm saying, is that it's like, okay, you moved to New York, you think New York is the best city in the world. Name one thing you've ever done to make it that way.
KR: Except for pay taxes.
MG: Except for pay taxes, but if the only thing you're contributing is your taxes, you are ultimately a loser. You are!
KR:I agree.
MG: Being part of your community.
KR: That's very good.
MG: Give something back.
KR: Preach.
MG: I think that the more transplant activities you participate in, the more you have to volunteer. So like, for example, the Brooklyn Mirage, if you have ever gone there, that's three hours. If you have had an Aperol spritz on St. Mark's, that's 10 hours.
KR: That's more than 10 hours.
MG: If you have ever waited in line for the latest viral TikTok pastry? That is 20 hours. If you have ever made the TikTok that made that the viral pastry, you might be kicked out of the city.
KR: 500 hours. It should be volunteer-based. And if you don't do it within three years, you get conscripted.
MG: Exactly. I think it's just good for our reputation, and I think it's good to get involved in your city.
KR: It's good for the city.
MG: Get out of your bubble.
KR: Yeah, get out of your little Williamsburg, East Village, Greenpoint vibe.
MG: Do something. There's so many things to do, too.
KR: Find something that you feel passionate about. If you're a musician, teach kids music.
MG: Exactly.
KR: If you're an actor, teach kids acting. It doesn't even have to be kids.
MG: It could be dogs. It could be old people.
KR: This is a very good... This is maybe the only good subway take.
MG: Holy sh... I did it.
KR: It might be the only subway take that matters. Literally.
MG: This is like...
KR: It's a great idea.
MG: This is incredible. I can't believe I won the game.
KR: You won the game. No one knew that it was a competition. This is the last episode of the show. What am I going to do now?
MG: Volunteer.
KR: And maybe I'll give my life to service.
MG: Yes.
KR: Like Gandhi.
MG: I'm always thinking of you like Gandhi.
KR: Sick."
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New Yorker claims all NYC transplants should have to volunteer to atone for taking from the city: 'If the only thing you're contributing is your taxes, you are ultimately a loser'
There is a seemingly never-ending stream of online discourse about NYC "transplants." A transplant is someone who moves to a city that they didn't grow up in, and allegedly makes it worse with their tacky, trendy consumption habits. It's essentially the 21st-century version of a yuppie. Transplant discourse is not solely a New York City thing. There are plenty of Texans complaining about Californians moving to their state, but they're less likely to call them "transplants." They'd probably say, "Texas is full, don't come here."
I've found that in real life, most native New Yorkers are not opposed to all non-natives moving to their city. Some New Yorkers don't like annoying people who are usually from Elsewhere USA, and use that annoyance and anger to create a caricature of what a transplant is and the harm they cause. In a city where 28% of residents weren't born in the United States, it's clear that New York can hardly gatekeep who lives in the city. Heck, there's a massive statue of a green lady welcoming all!
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