The truth about Maynardville Citizens (Franklin, Clinton: real estate, 2009, insurance)

[armywife85]

After reading a lot of posts on Maynardville you can tell none were done by true natives. Being born and raised in Maynardville and Luttrell all my life i feel the need to tell you like it is here. I may get flagged or cursed at but I really don't care. (see I have the Union County attitude) I'd prefer you to read, roll your eyes and then leave.
Yes, we're really nice it's called southern hospitality but no we don't like outsiders moving in. We like our simple way of life and don't want a lot of people looking for a great real estate investment screwing up what we worked so hard for. Yeah, the majority of us are not rich and we're perfectly fine that way. We like being near bigger cities and we like being away from them. We know each other. We do not like change. We really don't want you moving here.
Moderator cut: racisit remarks are not allowed on these forums. I miss back when the rest of the world hadn't touched the U.C. When all you had to worry about was the wild live coming out of the montains. Yes, we have bears, panters, cougars and the like but they're not really hostile.
If you ever thought about Luttrell let that thought go. If you have been able to move to U.C and had success in finding a life and friends and everyone is great don't think for a second they really want you there. They would love to see you go as much as I and everyone else I know would. Remember I know everyone else, I'm from here.
I've said my peace so let the bashing begin.

[tsimmu]

I say good for you army. I'm sure there are many out there among the naysayers who DO feel as you do. WTG.

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by armywife85

After reading a lot of posts on Maynardville you can tell none were done by true natives. Being born and raised in Maynardville and Luttrell all my life i feel the need to tell you like it is here. I may get flagged or cursed at but I really don't care. (see I have the Union County attitude) I'd prefer you to read, roll your eyes and then leave.
Yes, we're really nice it's called southern hospitality but no we don't like outsiders moving in. We like our simple way of life and don't want a lot of people looking for a great real estate investment screwing up what we worked so hard for. Yeah, the majority of us are not rich and we're perfectly fine that way. We like being near bigger cities and we like being away from them. We know each other. We do not like change. We really don't want you moving here.
Moderator cut: cut I miss back when the rest of the world hadn't touched the U.C. When all you had to worry about was the wild live coming out of the montains. Yes, we have bears, panters, cougars and the like but they're not really hostile.
If you ever thought about Luttrell let that thought go. If you have been able to move to U.C and had success in finding a life and friends and everyone is great don't think for a second they really want you there. They would love to see you go as much as I and everyone else I know would. Remember I know everyone else, I'm from here.
I've said my peace so let the bashing begin.

I guess one could call your post bigotry!

[oldmanbob]

Whammy, at least thanks for your honest thoughts, but I do not believe you represent the feelings from Union county, as I have family from there, worked there for years with a local insurance company, and know several folks from there, and might say, none had that attitude. I could be wrong, but one thing for sure, I would have a had time winning you over if I moved next door. You have your mind made up, if your for real, that folks that did not grow up there are unwelcome and sorry you feel that way, as good folks come from all over the world, regardless of the color of their skin, how big a city they come from, are bad. To have your attitude is sad, as you dont know what your missing.

[ceeglass]

Armywife - It won't be so much "bashing" as honestly "reviewing and assessing." First, the name of your county is UNION County. Anyone who knows our states history knows that during the Civil War East Tennessee had very sympathetic feelings toward both the UNION and the Confederacy, especially the mountaineer people who didn't care for those living in the lower lands who were farmers and merchants and they felt were benefiting from slavery either directly or indirectly. Many wanted East Tennessee to secede from Tennessee and form the new state of Franklin much as West Virginia had from Virginia. It is fact that Union County was so named because of it's pro union sympathies just prior to the Civil War in 1854. So for Union County today to be so racist is certainly incongruent with your history given the fact that Tennessee gave more men to the Union Army than any other seceded southern state though they gave many more men to the Confedracy overall. The only southern state that gave more men to the Union was Kentucky who had been prevented from seceding. You would be hugely surprised at the number of white Union soldiers from Alabama as well. If I were alive then and a man, I would have probably joined the Confedrate Army due to the issues of states rights as did Robert E. Lee, but with a most heavy heart and strong Union sympathy against slavery and dedication to obliderate it from Southern life.

I am a Southerner born and bred in East Tennessee for the most part with my high school years being spent in South Carolina. My sister has 7 adopted children, 3 black, 1 half black half white, 1 half black half Mexican and 1 all white, and 1 half Cambodian and half Korean plus her 3 all white natural children. When I was 3 in 1952 we were driving through Clinton, Tennessee and there were men lining both sides of a highway all dressed in white with white pointed hoods with eye holes cut out and holding lit torches in the air. My mother told us to get down in the back of the car, that these were very bad men. I remember the different drinking fountains one saying white and the other saying Negro or black. My mother again told me it wasn't right that God did not look upon the color of our skin but what was in our heart. I am proud to be an East Tennessean and also proud to be a Southerner. Slavery wasn't the only issue during the Civil War and I stand behind states rights without standing behind slavery. That is what I was taught as a Tennessean and that is what I believe today. I love everyone of my nieces and nephews no matter what the color of their skin or the origin of their birth. They are my family. I am Southern through and through and the way I was raised, my family's origins are not an issue as they are family, nor should it be for anyone else. They have added to our family, not detracted from it.

As a born Tennessean, you might do well to study our history and update your thinking. Fortunately today, your thinking is the exception and not the rule in Southern life.

One other thought, you stated you wanted to live close to a big city. I assume that's so you can enjoy all the positives that go along with that such as availability of products and services - so, you'll use them, but you don't want them enjoying anything Union County, who is supported by much of their tax base, has to offer. Yeah, that seems fair.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by tsimmu

I say good for you army. I'm sure there are many out there among the naysayers who DO feel as you do. WTG.

Wow. I kind of thought you felt that way. Whatever...

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by oldmanbob

Whammy, at least thanks for your honest thoughts, but I do not believe you represent the feelings from Union county, as I have family from there, worked there for years with a local insurance company, and know several folks from there, and might say, none had that attitude. I could be wrong, but one thing for sure, I would have a had time winning you over if I moved next door. You have your mind made up, if your for real, that folks that did not grow up there are unwelcome and sorry you feel that way, as good folks come from all over the world, regardless of the color of their skin, how big a city they come from, are bad. To have your attitude is sad, as you dont know what your missing.

You are such a wonderful man and agent.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by ceeglass

Armywife - It won't be so much "bashing" as honestly "reviewing and assessing." First, the name of your county is UNION County. Anyone who knows our states history knows that during the Civil War East Tennessee had very sympathetic feelings toward both the UNION and the Confederacy, especially the mountaineer people who didn't care for those living in the lower lands who were farmers and merchants and they felt were benefiting from slavery either directly or indirectly. Many wanted East Tennessee to secede from Tennessee and form the new state of Franklin much as West Virginia had from Virginia. It is fact that Union County was so named because of it's pro union sympathies just prior to the Civil War in 1854. So for Union County today to be so racist is certainly incongruent with your history given the fact that Tennessee gave more men to the Union Army than any other seceded southern state though they gave many more men to the Confedracy overall. The only southern state that gave more men to the Union was Kentucky who had been prevented from seceding. You would be hugely surprised at the number of white Union soldiers from Alabama as well. If I were alive then and a man, I would have probably joined the Confedrate Army due to the issues of states rights as did Robert E. Lee, but with a most heavy heart and strong Union sympathy against slavery and dedication to obliderate it from Southern life.

I am a Southerner born and bred in East Tennessee for the most part with my high school years being spent in South Carolina. My sister has 7 adopted children, 3 black, 1 half black half white, 1 half black half Mexican and 1 all white, and 1 half Cambodian and half Korean plus her 3 all white natural children. When I was 3 in 1952 we were driving through Clinton, Tennessee and there were men lining both sides of a highway all dressed in white with white pointed hoods with eye holes cut out and holding lit torches in the air. My mother told us to get down in the back of the car, that these were very bad men. I remember the different drinking fountains one saying white and the other saying Negro or black. My mother again told me it wasn't right that God did not look upon the color of our skin but what was in our heart. I am proud to be an East Tennessean and also proud to be a Southerner. Slavery wasn't the only issue during the Civil War and I stand behind states rights without standing behind slavery. That is what I was taught as a Tennessean and that is what I believe today. I love everyone of my nieces and nephews no matter what the color of their skin or the origin of their birth. They are my family. I am Southern through and through and the way I was raised, my family's origins are not an issue as they are family, nor should it be for anyone else. They have added to our family, not detracted from it.

As a born Tennessean, you might do well to study our history and update your thinking. Fortunately today, your thinking is the exception and not the rule in Southern life.

One other thought, you stated you wanted to live close to a big city. I assume that's so you can enjoy all the positives that go along with that such as availability of products and services - so, you'll use them, but you don't want them enjoying anything Union County, who is supported by much of their tax base, has to offer. Yeah, that seems fair.

What a wonderful, INTELLIGENT post. Bigotry, ignorance and insular people come from all over. Your attitude, fortunately, is the majority thought in the people I have met here that are Southern. There are bad apples all across this country.

One of my older sons once asked me why people are racist. He hadn't noticed skin color until someone said they "N" word. He was seven and we were in Massachusetts.

I told him that there are people that think they are less than others, so in order to feel better they put other people down. He understood and was saddened by their actions.

I am an atheist, but the Bible has some wonderful words. I am reminded of Jesus on the cross when he said, "Father forgive them, they no not what they do."

That's how I feel.

And if the OP only knew the richness and delight of opening their heart to others.

[weisgarber1]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

And if the OP only knew the richness and delight of opening their heart to others.

The op was so malicious, and really nonsensical, that one has to wonder if it was contrived and posted to create certain imagery, possibly from someone who doesn't even live in Union County.

[William Sold]

Wow.....just caught up on this post......I'll save my usual long rants for the much briefer version. I've had family and friends from Union County (born and raised), and I think they would agree with me that the only people they/we would like to see go away are racial bigots, unaccepting one minded individuals that don't accept people on the basis of their color, or where they're from. It's 2009, not 1960. Please catch up with the time and accept the simple fact that US citizens are equal, and the ability to move into an area based on geographical preference or interest trumps the "I was here first" attitude. Geez......I could really go on for a while....

BTW - stating that "Yes we're nice it's called southern hospitality" really serves as oxymoronic for the rest of your post...