Should we stay home? (Memphis, Knoxville: transfer to, living in, moving)

[TNKY]

I've done some reading about racism & yankees on the Nashville forums, and have a question stemming from an email I recieved today from my sister-in-law.

My family and I are currently living in MI and I have a possible opportunity to transfer to Knoxville. When my sister-in-law heard this, she got all upset and told us never to move to TN. This all comes from 1 trip to Nashville where, she claims, racism was everywhere and very blatant. She also claims people where telling her to "Go home, yankee."

I take all this with a grain of salt. Racism, sad to say, exists anywhere and everywhere, but from the threads I've read I just don't see it being a big issue in Nashville. Can anyone, preferably some minorities, clear this up for me. Have you been bothered/harrased due to your skin color?

And what about this "go home, yankee" stuff? Anyone now living in Nashville from MI, WI, IL, MA, NH or any northern state that has endured statements like this?

We are excited that God may send us to Knoxville, but I gotta be somewhat concerned for my kids' and wife's sake. We are white folk, but have no ill will toward black folk or any other minority. And despite 4 great years in Virginia, we've spent the rest of our lives in MI so we are indeed yankees (for now).

Thanks for your input, Nashville or any TN city resident.

[Rapunzll]

I have spent a lot of time in Clarksville (nw of Nashville) this year and haven't heard any rude comments about me being a Yankee.

They do seem to get a little confused though when I order my iced tea unsweetened.

[Tunky]

I was born and raised in MI, lived for 20 years in WI and have lived in TN since June 2007. The only time I ever heard anyone say anything disparaging against us yankees was from my coworker...and she says disparaging things about everyone.

Yes...you do have to stress that you want your tea UNsweetened and there will be some noticeable cultural differences...but it's been just fine. And, FWIW...my job takes me to TN, AL, MS, LA and FL.

As far as racisim...when I lived in Memphis it was pervasive...in all directions. I haven't noticed it being that bad in the Nashville area. There are jerks everywhere though so you never know.

[Steve_TN]

I moved to Nashville in 1994 and have never had one anti-Yankee comment aimed at me. I moved from Nashville to Murfreesboro in 2000 and have never had one single anti-Yankee comment aimed at me.

[Kim918]

I've been here a year now and have not experienced anything derogatory being said about yankees either. Everyone will ask where you're from. but I never got the feeling that I wasn't welcome here at all. Nashville is a pretty diverse area.

[New England 2 Nashville]

Same here; about the most I got was a slightly bemused look from my mechanic and a question (jokingly, I should add) if I played hockey.

[46Barb]

I have a NY accent and have never been called a yankee. I've felt very comfortable living here.

[akm4]

Where do people get this idea?!?!

It's fine. FINE. Honest! There are the same 2 village idiots everywhere, but really, now.

7 1/2 years here and never been called a Yankee. Not once.

[DaveM123]

We will be moving from IL to Murfreesboro in a couple of weeks. We have never encountered anything but friendly people and have never heard any yankee go home type comments.

[IngleDave]

Some comments never cease to amaze me. A lifelong Nashville resident, when I call someone a Yankee, I do so with affection and light-heartedness. Always. If all the Yankees suddenly left town, there'd be about a half-dozen of us left. And all my friends would be gone.

And the tea debate is purely weird. "They" aren't confused when you ask for unsweetened tea. For heaven's sakes. And who are "they" anyway?