South Carolina stereotypes? (Clemson, Union, North: construction, schools, university)

[ShanaP]

Also, just another thought...

Recently, I've been telling people that we're moving to Columbia as soon as the house sells. Do you know what their first reaction is? They always say, "It's so beautiful there - you'll love it!" Not one person has commented on it being racist or backwoods or any of the other negative stereotypes I've heard mentioned here. No one had mentioned rednecks or hillbillies as the case may be. I've even had quite a few people tell me their heart is in the Carolinas and they would like to move there some day.

I've never been to the area so I'm going into this completely blind but I trust the gut reactions of other people who have been to the area. These threads have really helped me get a feel for the town too. I really appreciate all of the time you all put into helping people that are just getting started or looking into making a life in Columbia. Thanks.

[waccamatt]

Shana, I think you'll find there is a lot of competitiveness between the three major cities in South Carolina. They each have their advantages and they each have their disadvantages. I think you'll grow to love it here, just like I have.

[usc_gal98]

Originally Posted by Mzfloridagurl

so what? its all the same thing and sc probally has them all and then some

and you have been living in sc how long now?
racist attitudes are not limited to whites. the african americans, asians and latinos also have their groups.
there are extremist in every single social class and culture and every state as well.

[usc_gal98]

Originally Posted by ShanaP

Also, just another thought...

Recently, I've been telling people that we're moving to Columbia as soon as the house sells. Do you know what their first reaction is? They always say, "It's so beautiful there - you'll love it!" Not one person has commented on it being racist or backwoods or any of the other negative stereotypes I've heard mentioned here. No one had mentioned rednecks or hillbillies as the case may be. I've even had quite a few people tell me their heart is in the Carolinas and they would like to move there some day.

I've never been to the area so I'm going into this completely blind but I trust the gut reactions of other people who have been to the area. These threads have really helped me get a feel for the town too. I really appreciate all of the time you all put into helping people that are just getting started or looking into making a life in Columbia. Thanks.

Don't allow someone to steal your thunder. I was joking in my earlier post where I was talking about stereotyping. If there is one thing I can say about "most" southerners, it would be that we are very friendly no matter how much money we earn or where we live.

Good luck with your move! Columbia is a lovely place. I try to attend as many USC home games as possible during the season, and I love spending that time in Columbia!

[Steve_I]

I'm a soon to be midwest transplant and I see definitely see more racism but not overwhelmingly so (so far). We definitely have our share of racists in MI but we don't have a blatantly racist chain of restaurants though (Maurice's).

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by Steve_I

I'm a soon to be midwest transplant and I see definitely see more racism but not overwhelmingly so (so far). We definitely have our share of racists in MI but we don't have a blatantly racist chain of restaurants though (Maurice's).

Old Maurice can't hold on too much longer, he's in his mid 80's. He is definitely an embarrassment to the area.

[ShanaP]

What is Maurice's?

[CarolinaSouth803]

^^^^

Shana Maurice's is a babecue restuarant started by a man named Maurice Bessenger in West Columbia [or Cayce in can't remember]. He made some very racial comments during the "flag debate" when it was on the dome of the statehouse. So when they moved the flag off the dome...to be a thorn in the side of the city he put "flags" up at all of his area restaurants....although i've noticed that they are now not flying the "flag" at several locations now. Basically the only people that eat there are people with his same beliefs or out of towners that don't know about the situation. I comment local area grocery stores...as soon as he started with the flag flying, and pamplet dispensing rhetoric...they pulled all of his barbecue sauces off the shelves and never restocked them to this day. It's nothing to ride by one of those places and not see it crowded...which is good....i hope he goes belly up!

Sorry for the rant...but I figured i'd let you know and anyone else know because he isn't a reflection of the majority of Columbians.....plus he's trying to be slick by not changing his views, but not flying his "flags" at the restuarants near hot shopping corridors in attempts to get some people to stumble in.

[Chi2Midlands]

Originally Posted by CarolinaSouth803

^^^^

Shana Maurice's is a babecue restuarant started by a man named Maurice Bessenger in West Columbia [or Cayce in can't remember]. He made some very racial comments during the "flag debate" when it was on the dome of the statehouse. So when they moved the flag off the dome...to be a thorn in the side of the city he put "flags" up at all of his area restaurants....although i've noticed that they are now not flying the "flag" at several locations now. Basically the only people that eat there are people with his same beliefs or out of towners that don't know about the situation. I comment local area grocery stores...as soon as he started with the flag flying, and pamplet dispensing rhetoric...they pulled all of his barbecue sauces off the shelves and never restocked them to this day. It's nothing to ride by one of those places and not see it crowded...which is good....i hope he goes belly up!

Sorry for the rant...but I figured i'd let you know and anyone else know because he isn't a reflection of the majority of Columbians.....plus he's trying to be slick by not changing his views, but not flying his "flags" at the restuarants near hot shopping corridors in attempts to get some people to stumble in.

I'll only add that as odious as Maurice's views may be, anyone is welcome in his restaurants. I'm a minority and an out-of-town consultant was visiting us and wanted to go the the main Maurice's "Piggy Park" in Cayce. So being a go-along-get-along guy, I went along with a couple co-workers and him there. I was a bit apprehensive but knew that he's probably not giving any folks a hard time if they're paying customers (I live in Northeast Richland, which has a relatively large minority population, but where he also has a few locations, curiously mostly without the confederate flag or a very muted one up front). When I stepped in Piggy Park, there was a clear flyer behind the poster stating, in large bold letters, that "no one is to be refused service because of their race or ethnicity - it's the law!" or something similar. I was treated with the utmost respect as I would have at any other decent BBQ place.

That being said, it would not be my first choice by a long shot to patronize (being a vegetarian makes me go to BBQ places only with friends/co-workers anyways - can't live on cole slaw and hush puppies, anyways). It's also true that the vast majority of Columbians don't agree with him, even the more conservative ones. Most think he's just hopelessly living in the past and let him have his view expressed peacefully. Most also don't consider his BBQ to be anything special or the best - most have other local places as favorites (two out of three folks who have even mentioned Maurice's in conversation have been out-of-towners - both Midwesterners, interestingly). I think Piggly Wiggly may still be carrying his sauces (they are SC-based), but all other supermarket chains (including SC-based Bi-Lo) have long pulled his products since the flag debate around 2000.

Maurice is otherwise easily ignored - don't let such folks dictate the otherwise wonderful quality of life and diversity around here.

[Tommy1981]

I think he's been feeling the effects of the flag. I've noticed he's changed from the more controversial "Battle Flag" to the relatively unknown "Stars and Bars" flag of the confederacy.

Here's a link with pictures of the different flags for comparison:

Rebel Flag Pictures

I guess he's trying to "hold his ground" with out losing his business. I've eaten at the piggy park once. I actually like his sauce. I grew up eating it because it was carried in the grocery stores, but I agree that his barbecue isn't that much different than the next place.