Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The national History Channel devoted an episode of "The Food That Built America" to the story of John Young and his wings, interlaced with a (beyond Buffalo) better-known chicken entrepreneur, Col. Harlan Sanders, and the guy who founded KFC rival Popeyes in New Orleans.
Folllowing myself up to point out a parallel relevant to this subject:
If we're talking about a distinguishable and "unique" culture, which is what the first part of the OP references, then I don't think there are many cities with a distinguishable and unique Black culture outside of Charleston, New Orleans and maybe Houston.
The differences among most cities are superficial. The differences between New York and Memphis slang is unlikely to be the subject of a PhD thesis. But the origins of the Geechee/Gullah dialect has received a fair bit of critical examination by formally trained linguists.
Charleston and New Orleans are also known for their own unique cuisine whereas everywhere else has basic soul food. What you'll find in Atlanta is no different from you'll find in Chicago and that's really no different from what you'll find on the West Coast except for some Louisiana influences.
Pretty unique. You're not going to find this anywhere else in the U.S. This isn't something like mumbo sauce that maybe goes back to the 80s. Here you have a grandmother teaching her granddaughters traditions that have been passed down for several generations. That's true culture.
Again, my point isn't that Charlotte's Black history or local culture is nonexistent or not notable but that it's not distinctive or identifiable relatively speaking.
What do you see as the major differences between Atlanta and Charlotte as far as what the OP is asking?
The only difference I see is that Atlanta has a rap scene and celebrities while Charlotte does not. Otherwise, there's not as much distinction between the two as there is between DC and Baltimore or New York and Philly.
Atlanta definitely has some semblance of a local culture but it seems to be overpowered and overshadowed by the Black transplant population.
So to take it back to OP's overall point, if you had to create a caricature or the most extreme representative from each city, what would that person be like and how identifiable would they be? Some of mine are based on admittedly outdated information.
New York
Speech: Tracy Morgan/Mike Tyson accent. Frequent use of the words "yo," "son," "B," "god," "ill," "mad" and "deada__." Talking at a brisker pace.
Speech: Slurry speech. Frequent use of the words "nut," "nutty," "jawn," "bull" and expressions such as "real rap," "I will grind you up" and "Watch your body!" Also the traditional Muslim greeting.
Dress: Dickie or polo shirt buttoned all the way up. Immaculately maintained Sunni beard and hairline with Bigen. Also any man or woman dressed in full traditional Muslim garb using excessive profanity.
Attitude: More laid back and less aggressive than New York.
Baltimore
Speech: "That's tew much, yo!"
Dress: Long shorts, white tee shirt.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Philly.
DC
Speech: Slower than Baltimore, a lot of "er" sounds, frequent use of the words "bamma," "jive like," "lover" and "Joe/Moe"
Dress: White or Black tee, jean shorts, slouch socks, New Balances/foam posites/Jordan 11s. Shooters, Madness or We R One shirts.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Baltimore
So to take it back to OP's overall point, if you had to create a caricature or the most extreme representative from each city, what would that person be like and how identifiable would they be? Some of mine are based on admittedly outdated information.
New York
Speech: Tracy Morgan/Mike Tyson accent. Frequent use of the words "yo," "son," "B," "god," "ill," "mad" and "deada__." Talking at a brisker pace.
Speech: Slurry speech. Frequent use of the words "nut," "nutty," "jawn," "bull" and expressions such as "real rap," "I will grind you up" and "Watch your body!" Also the traditional Muslim greeting.
Dress: Dickie or polo shirt buttoned all the way up. Immaculately maintained Sunni beard and hairline with Bigen. Also any man or woman dressed in full traditional Muslim garb using excessive profanity.
Attitude: More laid back and less aggressive than New York.
Baltimore
Speech: "That's tew much, yo!"
Dress: Long shorts, white tee shirt.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Philly.
DC
Speech: Slower than Baltimore, a lot of "er" sounds, frequent use of the words "bamma," "jive like," "lover" and "Joe/Moe"
Dress: White or Black tee, jean shorts, slouch socks, New Balances/foam posites/Jordan 11s. Shooters, Madness or We R One shirts.
Attitude: More laid back, less aggressive than Baltimore
Speech: "On 4'N'em"...." You Tweaking"....."Goofies'''...."Whoo-Wop-Da-Bam"...."Merch-it"...."On King David"/"On ____ Grave!"
Dress: Designer sneakers, Air Force 1's, J's, Timbs, Essentials/Gallery Dept hoodies, fitted New Era cap with custom writing added, Amiri/Skinny-Jeans, GG/LV belts, Puffer jackets/Pelle Pelle coat, Dreads
Attitude: "We from Chicago"... Confident...aware of surroundings, personalities range from laid-back to on-go mode 24/7.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
”