By Johna Till Johnson
This year I became, officially, a citizen of New York City.
How’s that, you ask, given that I’ve lived in New York City for over 20 years?
Well yes, but living somewhere doesn’t automatically mean you’re a citizen of the place. Citizenship connotes something larger: a mix of rights and responsibilities. You’re not just passing through, you’ve put down roots. You take personal responsibility for how things are run, and feel that you’ve earned the right to enjoy (or criticize) the results.
And as of last year, New York City actually has a formal rite of passage for becoming a city citizen (in a sense): getting your New York City ID card.
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 