[mimpdaddy]

I know, it's like shooting yourself in the foot. But I bet nobody from Alabama made that movie. Honestly I never seen it.
It's like people try generalize the state, it's a little more complex than the stereotypes

[Keeper]

Sweet home AL was made in GA not AL.. I think there are always ppl who 'hate' where they live, you should read some of the FL forums if you want to see hate.

Personally I think the biggest issues are the ppl who make a judgment about a place because it is a southern state so we all must be redneck, racist, toothless ignorant and marry our cousins.

[cpg35223]

I think it's pretty much laziness. People find a stereotype and cling to it.

I was in Seattle last year for a conference, and I was sitting at a table with several other people as part of a workshop. And these people, one Californian and two Canadians, started cracking on Alabama. I listened politely for awhile. Then I asked if any of them had actually been to Alabama. Well, one had, while driving I-20 through the state. I nodded, and then said, "Why, so you like to indulge in stereotypes, then don't you? I guess you're all bigots." Boy, did they backpedal after that.

Another time, I was at a conference and the speaker, another Canadian, made a joke about Alabama. I raised my hand and said, "Excuse me. I'm from Alabama. What are you trying to say?" Now THAT was an awkward moment for the speaker. To be fair, he did hunt me down after the lecture, bought me a beer and said that he'd never make an Alabama joke again.

And those are just a few of many examples. Hey, I can take mild ribbing as well as anybody. But I'm amazed at the number of casual slurs people throw at Alabama, people who have never spend more than a nanosecond here. Just amazing to me.

[lovebrentwood]

People do the same thing with North Carolina using similar stereotypes.

[skinem]

Originally Posted by grapico

Outside the state not many people think about on Alabama...certainly not enough to hate on it. It is just not something on many peoples mind...

Sure, not often. But, when it is, there is often a negatvie connotation. I used to live out west and on occasion, (it's not fair to say often but, it wasn't rarely either.) I'd meet someone who I could see would start deducting IQ points as soon as they heard my accent.

I think an earlier poster had it right when they said it was ignorance. I would tell some of those folks out west when they'd make comments about the South that the South sure didn't have a corner on the ignorance or racist market...the two topics most of the idjits seemed to want to comment on.

[dorothyblueeyes]

I respect the south a lot more than I used to.I dont think everyone southern is stupid or uneducated,that is a Liberal,snob attitude.New York City,and California act that way. I hear that people in the south are often friendlier,and more community minded than up north.I also do not believe that everyone in Alabama and the south is uneducated; no way.That is a stereo-type.

Oregon has lots of working class people,and they're friendlier,and not stupid. Yeah,watch out for people who sling stereo-types; like the one that California is such a "friendly state."that is not really true,I lived there,myself.Californians are ambitious,busy,to busy and snobby to often be friends.They act like they're better than everyone else; well,look how their govt. there is falling apart!they can ;t pay for the state anymore. ha. they cant live within their budget,and now the whole state is broke.Hollywood,I hear,is not doing well either. the movie business is bad.all the business is going overseas.even the specialists are leaving the state,going overseas to get jobs making movies.

So,who says the south,and Alabama, are more inferior than any other of the states?not me.I go by what kind of people live there.If you;'re decent,kind,friendly,and solid people,you[re ok with me.I've lived in big,fancy cities,and I did not like them,or the people who lived there.Bad values.Money is not everything. Don't feel bad,Alabama. We don't all believe those stereotypes.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by southernmississippi23

It's the same thing with any rural Southern state, especially your next door neighbors to the west.

The rest of the country tells us to get over the civil war, but honestly, some of our friends from up north can't let go of the past and stereotypes themselves. You just have to live with it. Afterall, they've seen that "Sweet Home Alabama" movie with Reese Witherspoon in it, that's got to be an accurate representation of the state.

Yeah, that movie was pretty awful right down to the fake southern accents. I have never known a civil war reenactor nor have I known people who shoot cannons in their backyard.

You're right about Mississippi though, they probably have it tougher than Alabama. I don't think it's right, but I have heard a more than a few Alabamians crack little jokes about Mississippi, but I suppose folks in Georgia probably make jokes about us too.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I have never known a civil war reenactor nor have I known people who shoot cannons in their backyard.
You're right about Mississippi though, they probably have it tougher than Alabama. I don't think it's right, but I have heard a more than a few Alabamians crack little jokes about Mississippi, but I suppose folks in Georgia probably make jokes about us too.

I do know some Civil War re-enactors and they are very intelligent and knowledgable people. They have to be - authentic detail is a part of re-enactments. Some are a little weird, yes, but no stranger that folks obsessed with Star Wars and Star Trek!

Yes, I lived in Georgia for a few years and Alabama is their favorite whipping boy. But every state has a favorite.


Moderator cut: deleted post

[PortCity]

In Washington D.C if someone said something dumb or off the wall they would say "sorry I had an Alabama moment" or when someone does something dumb they would say " that`s Bama". I was surrounded by ignorence. I just couldn`t git it no matter where you live or who you are we are all human and will do and say some dumb things. When I was visiting D.C I saw people doing and saying dumb comments everywhere but hey I also ran into some dumb/off the wall people in Houston, Miami, New Orleans, and Tampa. So people are going to be dumb/off the wall everywhere not just in Alabama. In D.C they were also amazed that my accent didn`t sound like anything from that Forest Gump movie. When I spoke with my southern accent everyone wanted to know right off hand where I was from and proudly, I said Alabama and took pleasure in there facial response. Which was like "yeah right really ?" ,lol.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by dorothyblueeyes

I dont think everyone southern is stupid or uneducated,

Originally Posted by MiamiRob

obsession with religion.

"Religiosity is indeed negatively correlated with education (more highly educated people are less likely to be religious). Religiosity is also negatively correlated with interest in science."

from

Religion and Intelligence

How Alabama compares to other states:

The Most (and Least) Educated States - MSN Encarta