[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by gonzotg

Those who have read my posts know that I am in the process of relocating from NC to AR.

Yesterday was my oldest daughter’s open house at her school. She is in the second grade and one of the curriculum items is to learn about the states. While discussing our situation with her teacher, I observed small (page sized) posters strung along the wall for each state. Each poster naming a state with graphic representation of what the state is known for. North Carolina has an airplane and a microscope, South Carolina has a palm tree and the crescent moon and a beach, Michigan has cars, boats etc. You get the picture. When we get to Arkansas there is a picture of a HILLBILLY toting a SHOTGUN (overalls and all) and a diamond. Now these are not made by the kids, this is a store bought teaching aid. I hope that I am misconstruing this and I am unawares that this may be some great figure in history but the overalls…

That is hilarious. I have to agree that is a little politically incorrect for a store bought teaching aid. You may find something like that in the very small, rural towns, perhaps, but not in the bigger cities. I don't think anything really exists anymore like what you see in the movie Deliverance. In other words, I wouldn't be too concerned. But I'd also take with a grain of salt all the people singing this state's praises. Sure, it's an ok state to live in, but it's not the promised land a lot of people on this forum make it out to be.

[gonzotg]

The next time that I am picking up from school I'll see if I can grab a quick snapshot and find out who the publisher is for those who are interested.

[bchris02]

Originally Posted by gonzotg

When we get to Arkansas there is a picture of a HILLBILLY toting a SHOTGUN (overalls and all) and a diamond. Now these are not made by the kids, this is a store bought teaching aid. I hope that I am misconstruing this and I am unawares that this may be some great figure in history but the overalls…

If you are moving to Ft. Smith, be prepared to see lots and lots of overalls and camo, because thats what the style is here.

Every state's stereotype has some truth to it but its usually confined to a localized area within that state.

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by bchris02

If you are moving to Ft. Smith, be prepared to see lots and lots of overalls and camo, because thats what the style is here.

Every state's stereotype has some truth to it but its usually confined to a localized area within that state.

same goes for um well..just about all of NEA

[twixcookie]

Originally Posted by gonzotg

Those who have read my posts know that I am in the process of relocating from NC to AR.

Yesterday was my oldest daughter’s open house at her school. She is in the second grade and one of the curriculum items is to learn about the states. While discussing our situation with her teacher, I observed small (page sized) posters strung along the wall for each state. Each poster naming a state with graphic representation of what the state is known for. North Carolina has an airplane and a microscope, South Carolina has a palm tree and the crescent moon and a beach, Michigan has cars, boats etc. You get the picture. When we get to Arkansas there is a picture of a HILLBILLY toting a SHOTGUN (overalls and all) and a diamond. Now these are not made by the kids, this is a store bought teaching aid. I hope that I am misconstruing this and I am unawares that this may be some great figure in history but the overalls…

If you go to some other states...and they find out you're from Indiana (or Ohio, my home state), people think you're either a corn farmer or illiterate. I always thought of Arkansas as vastly different from many states, because it has elements of the Midwest, the South, and even the West in it.

[strumpeace]

Someone needs to inform the rest of the world that Arkansas is home of many of the worlds top companies (ie Wal Mart, JB Hunt, Tyson, Rice Land etc). Perhaps some of us aren't such "dumb hillbillies".

Hmmm. Citing a glorified flea-market (Wal-Mart), a trucking company (JB Hunt), and two backwoods companies--one of which (Tyson) has an awful human rights record--is probably NOT what I would do when trying to defend Arkansas. I would concentrate on the wonderful people and the state's beauty, personally.

[Cali BassMan]

Well, I'm from California, and I say let them think what they want. I just got back from visiting relatives in Bella Vista, and I say keep what you have a secret... The last thing you need is the 40 million people in Cali knowing how beautiful Arkansas is or what nice friendly people you have..Beaver Lake is awesome, oh and the fried chicken place wow good grub.... Arkansas never change, you have what ever one else is looking for.....

[Veiled Prophet]

That sounds a lot like what they think of anyone that happens to live in the Ozarks and this would Missouri of course. I live in Missouri and have relatives in the Ozarks and they are real down to earth salt of the earth type people. I have met many Ozark people who may have less education than some but are definitely going to be the ones who survive major problems should they happen. There is a song that Hank Williams Jr. sings calle A County Boy Can Survive and I agree totally with it.

[sherrenee]

Originally Posted by strumpeace

Hmmm. Citing a glorified flea-market (Wal-Mart), a trucking company (JB Hunt), and two backwoods companies--one of which (Tyson) has an awful human rights record--is probably NOT what I would do when trying to defend Arkansas. I would concentrate on the wonderful people and the state's beauty, personally.

I think you missed my point. Im not saying those are the best companies. What I was saying is that we arent as stupid as people seem to think we are. People have this idea that if you come from Arkansas that you are poor and dumb. However that is usually far from the truth.

[justsomeguy]

Well, it's true our state population is undereducated and there are poor people, but I agree, most people here are reasonably intelligent and there are a lot of wealthy people here too. The thing about Arkansas is not that there are stupid people there, but that there aren't many "worldly thinkers" in the area. Arkansas is largely rural and like most rural areas, global thinkers are not prevalent. Still, like most stereotypes, you cannot apply this judgment to all Arkansans. There are plenty of VERY INTELLIGENT people living in Arkansas. Though all things considered, the majority of the populace is still what I would call undereducated and small-town minded.