Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426
Ok I might have to clarify what I mean. In your opinion, what southern state is very southern; meaning the accent, enviroment, food, southern slang, southern hospitality, and other stuff. If that help anything
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Ok. Thanks for clarifying, Chicago L. What it seems you are asking is what Southern state is "most Southern." No offence (because you really did explain well and seem on the level and courteous to all!), but as Houstoner said earlier, this topic really HAS been done to death in the past! LOL
Still though, I see you are relatively new to the forum, so you may have never seen some of the past threads on the subject. Here are a couple though:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-southern.html
In tandem a bit, was another which discussed, like the term "country" as to relative definition, exactly what it is that makes the South "Southern"?
What makes the South "Southern"?
Sooooo, to answer what I believe to be your question, I am just going to "paste" a post I wrote on the "ranking" thread. I HAVE however, changed the wording and rationales a bit in light of that I have learned a few things since then from some of my friends (such as Bobilee and Catfish) as concerns their own states.
Here goes (I start by a VERY broad definition of the South. That is, what the U.S. Census Bureau establishes...plus Missouri):
From least to most, along with my own personal thoughts and opinions:
Bench warmers..
17. Delaware - (nothing Southern about it other than Census definition)
16. Maryland - (a few Southern aspects, but Census definition is main reason it can ever be considered Southern)
15. Missouri - (southern parts of Missouri have some characterisitcs of the mountain South, but for the most part it is a midwestern state)
Now for the ones that really matter. Third team:
14. West Virginia - (Mountain South that blends with the northern appalachian region of Pennsylvania. Right or wrong (and I happen to think it's wrong) its seperation from parent state of Virginia during the WBTS and the Confederacy pretty much forever limits its status as a Southern state in the minds of many).
13. Oklahoma - (some very decent and solid Southern characteristics south of Oklahoma City and east of Tulsa due to influence of Texas and Arkansas settlers), but it gets more "midwestern" north and west of the above lines).
12: Florida (Historically
unquestionably Southern, and north of Orlando, still very much so. However, the decades long outside migration has considerably diluted a good part of the state's earlier character. Very sad).
Second team. And the order can be very easily re-arranged:
11. Kentucky - (Had Kentucky officially and truly joined the Confederacy, its status as a Southern state today would probably not be the subject of much debate. On the other hand, mint julips and fried chicken are a state icon, and it is said it indeed DID "join the Confederacy after the War", as evidenced by the fact that it observes a Confederate holiday and statues in memory of the CSA are numerous.)
10. Virginia - (It is hard to think of the birthplace of Confederate heroes such as Robert E. Lee, and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (to just name the permier), and that the capital of the Confederacy was in Richmond, as being anything BUT Southern. Yet, sadly, northern migration into the northern part of the state has had an impact.)
9. Texas - (THIS is a story in itself and, as a native Texan, I agree with the old axiom that Texas is a region unto itself in many ways. However, in terms of affiliation, it essentially a Southern state. Some parts more than others of course, but in the whole scheme of things, the very much "Deep South" character of East Texas more than "balances out" the very much "southwestern" qualities of the trans-pecos area. East Texas is where the Deep South begins, and even most of West Texas was settled by migrating Southernerns. The cultural impact was and remains, very Southern. Still, many things, not of the least of which are demographic trends in terms of migration (legal or otherwise) have diluted Texas, overall, as being considered a purely Southern state in the classic sense).
Now, for the "starting" lineup! First team.
8. Arkansas - ( An Upper South state that didn't secede until after Ft. Sumter, but unquestionably Southern, even if a combination of Deep and Mountain South, in character)
7. North Carolina (Upper South that didn't secede until after Ft. Sumter, yet had an absolute history of devotion to the Confederacy when it did. Some parts more Southern than others, but pork BBQ for sure secures its status)
6. Tennessee (Again, it joined the Confederacy late, but anyone who has ever vistited there, especially in Memphis and certain other parts, don't question it being Southern).
5. Louisiana (the northern part of the state is Deep South. The reason I rank it #5 is that there is a heavy Catholic and French Cajun influence in the southern part which, while Southern in its way, is not typical of the other a parts of the traditional Deep South).
4. South Carolina - (The first state to secede, and with the most support within. The ONLY reason I don't rank it as "most Southern" is the colonial influence and its own certain (and admirable) brand of independence. However, South Carolina, and the states that follow are those which absolutely embrace and proclaim their "Southerness")
3. Georgia - (Gone With the Wind. The Empire State of The South, epitome of the "southern accent". ONLY problem is Atlanta nowdays!)
2. Alabama - (Azaleas, plantations, DEEP Deep South thru and thru. Literally, in all ways, the geographical "Heart of Dixie" whether or not one defines "The South" by the Old Confederacy, or the commonly thought of Deep South states (South Carolina thru Louisiana). Only reason it is second is that the northern part is a bit different from the Old South way of life in the southern parts).
1. Mississippi - (I might mention that this is my own ancestral state, but I dont think that fact influences my opinion. Mississippi combines all things commonly considered "Southern" with very few dilutions at all).
There, I done it! And prepared to catch kudos or hell over it! LOL
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