This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Sacred Heart chapter.

Coming to college, I never expected one of the problems I would run into was people hating New Jersey. Coming to a school in New England I have experienced one too many people from New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut hate on the place I call home. So I’m here to put an end to New Jersey slander once and for all. Next time you hate on New Jersey, keep these 10 things in mind.

1. The Jersey Shore, both the beach itself and the show

College kids LOVE MTV’s greatest show the Jersey Shore and were hyped when they announced Family Vacation last year. Well guess what America, wouldn’t have happened if New Jersey didn’t exist. Also I know quite a few people from outside of Jersey who spend their summers at the Jersey Shore whether it be Seaside or LBI. Don’t hate on my state if you’re spending your summers at our wonderful beaches and not having to pump your own gas in the sweltering heat.

2. The Jonas Brothers

Think about these three amazing boys next time you try to hate on Jersey. They all grew up in the same county as me, we went to the same Rita’s, some people I know even went to the same church as them. Respect the Jonas’.

3. The Giants

Metlife Stadium is in New Jersey therefore the Giants should be the New Jersey Giants but I just don’t think anyone’s ready for that conversation yet. Also sidenote; Metlife Stadium is the same place that One Direction performed back-to-back concerts in which many non Jersey-ans attended.

4. Bon Jovi

We ALL love Living on a Prayer, don’t lie to yourself. If that’s your go-to karaoke song I don’t want to hear one negative thing about Jersey leave your mouth again.

5. Danny DeVito

Damien from Mean Girls said it himself “Danny DeVito I love your work”. Everyone has a soft spot in their hearts for the great DeVito and you should respect the place he was born and raised.

6. Fetty Wap

You know what mall Fetty Wap went into and threw hundred dollar bills around? Garden State Plaza, the most chaotic but greatest mall in NEW JERSEY. If you don’t like New Jersey then you are NOT a trap queen.

7. Bruce Springsteen

The Boss himself is from the great state of New Jersey, need I say more?

8. The Statue of Liberty

IT’S IN NEW JERSEY. Case closed.

9. No Clothing Tax

Whenever I go to one of the four malls within 10 minutes from me on a Saturday, the parking lot is flooded with New York license plates due to New Jersey not taxing on clothing. Ya know how many people from New York talk smack about NJ? A lot. So think about how you’re saving money at MY mall next time you wanna run your mouth.

10. The Lightbulb

Ya know the lightbulb? Yea the inventor Thomas Edison was from New Jersey. We even have a whole town named after him. If you’re going to hate on New Jersey, don’t bother turning lights on, because without New Jersey, you wouldn’t be able to do that.

Bonus: The queen Meryl Streep is ALSO from New Jersey.

So yes, I could go on and on about all the wonderful things from New Jersey that people take for granted but I’ll stop at 10. Show the garden state some love!

Stop the New Jersey Slander