My southern (US) brothers and sisters.

[sweetnpetite]

OMG! I don't know where I have been the last 30 years. All of a sudden I keep seeing the most hateful and ignorant things written about southerners. I mean, yeah, I know the stereotypes, but all of a sudden I'm socked to find out that so many people seem to beleive that they're true.

Maybe I've just been blind or something, but I never really saw it before the way I've been noticing it the past week. (And oddly enough, this has nothing to do with Hurakane Katrina either).

Wow- us Northerners can be real idiots. And so I appoligize on behalf of the holyer-than-thou North. And also for some dumb things I said here once too. (not to dredge up the past- you know what I mean.)

 

[yui]

The "South" is wonderful and awful and so very beautiful and full of heart that it can make you weep.

 

[hugo_sam]

OMG! I don't know where I have been the last 30 years. All of a sudden I keep seeing the most hateful and ignorant things written about southerners. I mean, yeah, I know the stereotypes, but all of a sudden I'm socked to find out that so many people seem to beleive that they're true.

Maybe I've just been blind or something, but I never really saw it before the way I've been noticing it the past week. (And oddly enough, this has nothing to do with Hurakane Katrina either).

Wow- us Northerners can be real idiots. And so I appoligize on behalf of the holyer-than-thou North. And also for some dumb things I said here once too. (not to dredge up the past- you know what I mean.)

Sweetnpetite,

The are so many 'stereotypes' around, many of which have been incorporated into the very culture itself. Many of us guard and fight against them, but it is often easy to fall into using them. Most of us had 'our growing years'(through early 20's) where our influence was strong from ourside sources. While many of us try our hardest to remain enlightened, sometimes old prejudices will out. Often when we think about them, they are not true prejudices at all, rather 'culturally' acceptable or semi-acceptable forms of speech.
As someone of 'mixed' culture (southern and northern) there is a great deal to be said for either part of the country. A common sterotype I've seen is the 'New Yorkers as cold and distant'... Many, many of my best friends are New Yorkers, who are some of the deepest, kindest and most dependable people a friend could ask for.
Much like the 'vote' and 'anon' thing here on lit, you just have to roll with the punches. Many people say things without ill intent, (it still may sting or hurt) but often there is no thought about saying what they often have 'heard all their lives'.
You just have to live and learn. I often find myself blurting things I really do not mean. Sterotypes and prejudices are so ingrained in our culture, that is very very difficult not to pay them lip service without real intent.

Thanks for thinking about it.

 

[Rebel Rose]

I live in a trailor, tho not a trailor park
There are 5 vehicles in the yard, 2 don't work
Three dawgs, but no porch
I say y'all, yes ma'am and no sir
I have a pair of cowboy boots... somewhere
I wear orange on Saturdays (It's a Vol thing)

I think I'm about as stereotypical as they get,
tho I've met worse.

We all deal with stereo types no matter where we're from...
South, North, East or West.
It's a part of life.
Some of 'em good, some of 'em bad.

 

[hugo_sam]

We all deal with stereo types no matter where we're from...
South, North, East or West.
It's a part of life.
Some of 'em good, some of 'em bad.

Well said Rose
(for a 'Northern' neighbor... I'm in Alabama)

 

[cloudy]

I have a rather unique perspective, I think, since I didn't move to the south until I was pretty much grown.

There is ignorance here, sometimes it seems in greater abundance than other regions, but I may be wrong.

There is some horrible prejudice here, that persists in spite of the growth of tolerance I sense in other regions.

That said, these can be some of the most caring people on earth. If you need something, a neighbor is there with it. Need a fence raised? Before long, people you don't even know will be stopping by to help, whether it's to bring an augur to drill pull post holes (some of you may know what those are ), or just to bring you a cold beer just when you need it.

Have a family member die? Your neighbors will inundate you with enough food to feed you and the rest of your family for the next two months. Don't worry about bringing the dishes back to them - if you do it any time soon, they'll only fill it with more food, and bring it back to you.

Your livestock got out? Don't worry, someone will stop and, seeing them out, will not only put them back, but make a temporary fix to the fence before leaving - they'll also leave you a note about where the hole was.

I could go on and on and on. I get frustrated, at times, because an educated woman is something of an anomaly in the small village-type area that I live, but I can see the good in these people - it's quite apparent.

 

[elsol]

There is some horrible prejudice here, that persists in spite of the growth of tolerance I sense in other regions.

In the south, when they spit in your face... they want you to know they're spitting in your face.

In other regions, they'll spit in your face and expect you to laugh about it because it's just a 'joke'.

--

I had an employer once who told someone else in the company... "You have to handle ElSol carefully. He's Latin and they tend to be very hot-blooded."

This was in the heart of liberal country.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[SeaCat]

LOLOLOL I'm a Damned Yankee. Do you know what the difference between a Yankee and a Damned Yankee is? A Yankee comes down here to visit, but the Damned Yankee stays.

I've lived in South Florida for six years. I have met one (1) person who's family comes from here for more than one generation. That person complained that they thought I was from South Florida because I acted more "Southern" than he did. (Yes I do use Ya'll when I speak, I have all my life. Hell I'm even polite and use sir, no sir, while I'm kicking your ass.)

I have had a strange life, not to mention an enjoyable life. Becuase of this I have I think a unique outlook on things like prejudice. I was the only white kid in an Inuit village. I have been the only civilian in a military hospital. (Don't ask.) I have been a Yankee in southern towns and villages, as well as a southerner in northen towns and villages. I have been the American in European towns. I have been the only straight in a gay club. Hell I've been the only male in a Lesbian Bar.

We are slowly becoming more understanding, regardless of what our governmental leaders want. It takes time.

If you oops and make a comment that someone else is offended by, take a step back and think about it. Learn from it. Did you make the comment on purpose? If you did apologise and get on with life. If you didn't, then maybe the person who was offended needs to step back and think things through. (It cuts both ways, and sometimes even the best intentioned people are overly sensitive.)

Cat

Remember, a wise man washes his hands after peeing. A wiser man doesn't pee all over his hands in the first place.

 

[Wildcard Ky]

The south is a great place to be. I've lived all over the US, and I chose to come back home. I'll never leave again.

It's not perfect here, but then again there is no such thing as the perfect place. We have our share of idiots to be sure.

Cloudy did an excellent job of mentioning some of the things that are great about the south though. There are some stereotypes about the south that I'm proud of, and am proud to say are true. Things like southern hospitality, saying ma'am and sir. Helping out friends and neighbors in need.

The South is a great place to live, with a deep heritage and roots in a lot of good things. We know that others make fun of us, and that's okay. We know how good things are here, and with others making fun of us, it might keep some of those damn yankees out

For the Record: South Florida isn't part of the south. That's it's own little world down there. The true south stops somewhere around Gainesville.

 

[SeaCat]

For the Record: South Florida isn't part of the south. That's it's own little world down there. The true south stops somewhere around Gainesville.

*Snicker*

I'll take here over Brownsville.

Cat

 

[amicus]

Sighs...why me...?

Unfortunately, most of what has been said and posted is superficial and socially oriented.

You must understand what 90 degree, (fahrenheit) temperatures and 90 percent humitidy does to the human body and the human psyche.

You must also accomodate bugs...yes...bugs...tropical, nasty, pervasive and prevaling, bugs...of all sorts and sizes...

How the native people survived in this god awful climate and environment is beyond this northern boy...truly....

The entire southern Unitied States is a hellhole and a true purgatory for any cold blooded European ancestry.

Add to that, the French and Spanish culture, which is alien to English and Irish and Scotch and Scandinavian heritage.

Add to that the majority of Africans, black africans, who are truly beyond rational understanding and can only be 'felt' not understood, as they, for the most part, are tribal and not civilized.

Not bias, not prejudice...experience...I lived and worked in the Biloxi, Gulf Port area for several years...I know....I do not speculate or 'bloviate' thanks, Fox news.

There is also the history of the south, of the Civil War...of the plantations and that style of life...with slaves...believe it or not...it lives on...in attitudes of white trash and upper class whites...professionals...that rule, now...as they always did.

You really don't understand the South, or New Orleans until you have been there and lived there...and I have...there is more than you think....

the always disturbing...amicus....

 

[TxRad]

Sighs...why me...?

Unfortunately, most of what has been said and posted is superficial and socially oriented.

You must understand what 90 degree, (fahrenheit) temperatures and 90 percent humitidy does to the human body and the human psyche.

You must also accomodate bugs...yes...bugs...tropical, nasty, pervasive and prevaling, bugs...of all sorts and sizes...

How the native people survived in this god awful climate and environment is beyond this northern boy...truly....

The entire southern Unitied States is a hellhole and a true purgatory for any cold blooded European ancestry.

Add to that, the French and Spanish culture, which is alien to English and Irish and Scotch and Scandinavian heritage.

Add to that the majority of Africans, black africans, who are truly beyond rational understanding and can only be 'felt' not understood, as they, for the most part, are tribal and not civilized.

Not bias, not prejudice...experience...I lived and worked in the Biloxi, Gulf Port area for several years...I know....I do not speculate or 'bloviate' thanks, Fox news.

There is also the history of the south, of the Civil War...of the plantations and that style of life...with slaves...believe it or not...it lives on...in attitudes of white trash and upper class whites...professionals...that rule, now...as they always did.

You really don't understand the South, or New Orleans until you have been there and lived there...and I have...there is more than you think....

the always disturbing...amicus....

After reading this i feel like kicking a Yankee.... one in particular......

Of all the racist bigoted bullshit you've ever written, this takes the fucking cake.....

 

[elsol]

Add to that the majority of Africans, black africans, who are truly beyond rational understanding and can only be 'felt' not understood, as they, for the most part, are tribal and not civilized.

So I want to make sure I have this right... the french, spanish, and africans are also not a part of the extended family.

Although with africans, it's black africans that are not included, the white ones can be.

Okay... so that I understand my relationship as relative to yours... how to you feel about beaners who were wholly raised and educated in the North?

Something tells me that I'm not going to make the Amicus family tree... *shit*

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[elsol]

Of all the racist bigoted bullshit you've ever written, this takes the fucking cake.....

You see, ami.

A challenge!

Go for it, boy! I KNOW you can be even more racist, even more bigoted, and yes, as impossible as it might seem, you CAN write something that resembles bull feces even more!

Amicus!
Amicus!
He's the man|
If anyone can do it, HE CAN!

GIVE ME AN A
GIVE ME AN M
GIVE ME AN I
GIVE ME AN C
GIVE ME AN U
GIVE ME AN S

.... and what does that spell?

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[cymry]

~

I've lived all over the U.S., from the south of Florida (Marco Island) to California (San Diego), and everywhere in between. I live in the mid South now and love it...though the humidity could choke a whale. The bugs just add to nature's music.
What I've found is there are all types in every place I go. In essence, people are pretty much the same everywhere. The one place I really hated was Arkansas, but that's probably because my ex lives there and he's an ass extraordinaire.
There are people here on this board from all over the world, and though there are of course exceptions, we all have things that connect us to each other...loved ones such as friends, wives, husbands, children, mothers and fathers. Most can relate in some way or another. Enough so that this forum exists. I'm not preaching any message, really, I just think there aren't as many differences as some think. Not if you take the time to look.

 

[Guest]

ive nothing really intelligent to say here.


cept i have been and will always be a yankee, transplanted into the deepest south...
holy cow! there are differences.
im too looped to go into it now. yes, some stereotypes of the south are true...some not so much ...same can be said about the north.
just fuckin treat people well, ok?
thats what it all really boils down to.
just be a good person.

 

[woodnymph_O]

Been in the South all my life. For the most part I love it here, but there are times when southerners have to laugh at themselves. Like when 1/4 inch of snow gridlocks the traffic of our capital city and it takes 14 hours to go down 3 miles of highway. but personally I haven't had much said to me in the negative about being southern. I mostly get the telemarketers who love my accent.
Nymphy

 

[yui]

Add to that, the French and Spanish culture, which is alien to English and Irish and Scotch and Scandinavian heritage.

*snort* Just a question; are your referring to your "English heritage" and the "alien French culture" pre- or post-Hastings?

I have typically stayed out of the name calling and "Amicus-is-a-bigotted-idiot-with-his-head-so-far-up-his-white-ass-that-he-can't-see the-sun" but the ignorance you are so proudly espousing and the implications you are making that only "uncivilized" black, brown, and yellow people live in the warm, wet, alive places in this world, simply makes you look like a bigoted idiot with your head up your ass.

I suspect you know very little of the true American South, and I suspect you know even less of being English, Irish, Scotch or Scandinavian. Make peace with who you are, Amicus, and stop being so childishly bitter about who you wish you were.

Luck,

Yui

 

[cloudy]

*snort* Just a question; are your referring to your "English heritage" and the "alien French culture" pre- or post-Hastings?

I have typically stayed out of the name calling and "Amicus-is-a-bigotted-idiot-with-his-head-so-far-up-his-white-ass-that-he-can't-see the-sun" but the ignorance you are so proudly espousing and the implications you are making that only "uncivilized" black, brown, and yellow people live in the warm, wet, alive places in this world, simply makes you look like a bigoted idiot with your head up your ass.

I suspect you know very little of the true American South, and I suspect you know even less of being English, Irish, Scotch or Scandinavian. Make peace with who you are, Amicus, and stop being so childishly bitter about who you wish you were.

Luck,

Yui

He's just stirring the pot, I'm afraid, although with less finesse than he usually uses.

 

[Guest]

He's just stirring the pot, I'm afraid, although with less finesse than he usually uses.

He has finesse?

 

[LadyJeanne]

*snort* Just a question; are your referring to your "English heritage" and the "alien French culture" pre- or post-Hastings?

I have typically stayed out of the name calling and "Amicus-is-a-bigotted-idiot-with-his-head-so-far-up-his-white-ass-that-he-can't-see the-sun" but the ignorance you are so proudly espousing and the implications you are making that only "uncivilized" black, brown, and yellow people live in the warm, wet, alive places in this world, simply makes you look like a bigoted idiot with your head up your ass.

I suspect you know very little of the true American South, and I suspect you know even less of being English, Irish, Scotch or Scandinavian. Make peace with who you are, Amicus, and stop being so childishly bitter about who you wish you were.

Luck,

Yui

Excellent advice, Yui. After growing up in the midwest, I've now embraced California and am a liberal, tree-hugging, gay-marriage-loving, soy-milk-drinking, let's-go-for-a-hike, tarot-card-reading flake, and proud of it!

Northern California, that is. Southern California, on the other hand...

 

[Alex756]

I was going to say something elaborate, but I decided to just agree with the original post.

Evidently it is a horrible horrible thing to have an accent, to thank Miss Betty at the bakery, or teach your child to say ma'am and sir.

The hatemail I get on Lit for writing a southern character is plenty of proof for me.

~Alex

 

[amicus]

*snort* Just a question; are your referring to your "English heritage" and the "alien French culture" pre- or post-Hastings?

I have typically stayed out of the name calling and "Amicus-is-a-bigotted-idiot-with-his-head-so-far-up-his-white-ass-that-he-can't-see the-sun" but the ignorance you are so proudly espousing and the implications you are making that only "uncivilized" black, brown, and yellow people live in the warm, wet, alive places in this world, simply makes you look like a bigoted idiot with your head up your ass.

I suspect you know very little of the true American South, and I suspect you know even less of being English, Irish, Scotch or Scandinavian. Make peace with who you are, Amicus, and stop being so childishly bitter about who you wish you were.

Luck,

Yui

Snort and Phffffft! Awww shucks and here I kept seeing Yui as similar to that gorgeous little asian girl on televison...The View or something, although I have not seen for a while.

Sighs, well okay then, I take it all back. Germans are not viewed as being mechanically superior, Italians like Dean Martin, can't really sing any better than the rest of us; English women are not really thin lipped and cold bitches, The French are really not immoral gourmet's, Africans were never enslaved anywhere where in the world, Jewish people are not really any smarter than the rest of us, Spanish and Latin people are really not 'hot-blooded', the Russians using 'their' German scientists, really did not orbit the first satellite or the first man, the Ugandans did.

If it pleases you to call me bigotted and racist,, then by all means do so; oh yes and Eskimo's are not fat and eat whale blubber and seal meat and the Inca's never had human sacrifice and were never, never cannibals, and Native Americans did not remain tribal as the Chinese, Greeks and Romans learned how to read and write.

Is there anyone I have failed to insult? My apologies if I left you out.

The general blindness of the liberal left as they preach total human equality and ignore the history of ethnic and racial difference is astounding.

Humanity is more diverse than you have any idea my rose colored friends and it is those differences when the pot is stirred that gives the stew a flavor.

Gay pride is fine but black pride is racist? ahem...nationalism was okay but now is not, for anyone? God Save the Cucumber.

Like Catholics who preached that all Protestants would go to hell, the Liberal mindset is as well frozen in time.

Such a deal

amicus...

 

[cloudy]

God Save the Cucumber.

I liked this part.

 

[Ferawyn]

Is there anyone I have failed to insult? My apologies if I left you out.

Yes, as a white male native dutch man I am very offended by your lack of any insults in my direction. I'm starting to wonder if there's anything wrong with me, since you haven't seen fit sling any unsubstantiated bigotry my way.