Are there racist people there? Redneck, etc..? Please I do not mean to offend anyone. (Raleigh: appointed, real estate)

[Miker2069]

For the record- I'd be concerned about racism culturalism (i.e, southerners up north) in Boston and New York vs. anywhere in NC.

[exjerseyite]

It's more insular here but that is changing rapidly.

And here are some disjointed thoughts ...

I admit I felt a bit fearful when I moved here, probably because I was anticipating being surrounded by all those "racists and rednecks."

The sight of a Confederate flag on a pickup truck frightened me, as well as those "Keep honking I'm loading" bumper stickers! But, alas, my best friend in town is the great-great granddaughter of a Confederate general, and you realize that for most people it's a cultural thing--all the good 'ole days in the good ole South stuff.

The South was never an entry point for immigrants (it's getting to be a melting pot now, though) so the culture has a history of being insular, whereas I was from the Northeast where everyone's parents or grandparents were born in another country.

I find that most normal people respond to kindness and openess and that my family is well-received here.

The only weirdness that still exists is the fact that we're not religious and we're Jews and many people shut you out for that reason--Jews and Christians. To the point that they don't want their children dating your children.

Growing up in the Northeast in the early 70s, religion just never came up as an issue with other kids' parents! For all I know, with the return to religion these days, that judgmental thing may be happening all over the country.

[RaleighRob]

Originally Posted by exjerseyite

The only weirdness that still exists is the fact that we're not religious and we're Jews and many people shut you out for that reason--Jews and Christians. To the point that they don't want their children dating your children.

Growing up in the Northeast in the early 70s, religion just never came up as an issue with other kids' parents! For all I know, with the return to religion these days, that judgmental thing may be happening all over the country.

Yes, I'd say religious discrimination (and, well, sexual orientation discrimination...which is usually a byproduct of the former) is what's more prevalent in the south than racial discrimination these days. They don't care what race you are as long as you're a good "god-fearin' 'Merican!" (ie, Conservative/evangelical protestant).

Which is why I stick to the urban areas....plenty of us "heathens" to go around!

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by RaleighRob

Yes, I'd say religious discrimination (and, well, sexual orientation discrimination...which is usually a byproduct of the former) is what's more prevalent in the south than racial discrimination these days. They don't care what race you are as long as you're a good "god-fearin' 'Merican!" (ie, Conservative/evangelical protestant).

Which is why I stick to the urban areas....plenty of us "heathens" to go around!

heathens? Aren't they an arena football team ?

[whitney]

Originally Posted by RaleighRob

They don't care what race you are as long as you're a good "god-fearin' 'Merican!" (ie, Conservative/evangelical protestant).

Which is why I stick to the urban areas....plenty of us "heathens" to go around!

I envision the "loss of reputation" that will follow, however in light of what is going on in the world today, what is so bad about being a "god-fearin' 'Merican?" It doesn't follow (as I am sure some liberals would be happy to say) that you can only be God fearing and American if you are conservative/evangelical.

And yes, I am American, God-fearing, conservative and Christian...not necessarily in any given order.

[Bethanytedder]

The best thing to do is figure out what a redneck means to you and then stay away from them if this is not the culture you are looking for. But a redneck is a very generalized term to me that has no creditablity in fact as far as "they are alike." To me a heathen is a woman that would abandon 6 children from 6 months to 11 years of age and years later when I am raising her great granddaughter has the nerve to call me a heathen because I won't return the child to the mother who I just got the child from out of a crack house.

[RaleighRob]

Originally Posted by whitney

...what is so bad about being a "god-fearin' 'Merican?"

Didn't say anything was. But, as exjerseyite mentions, many of them tend to treat those who aren't as outcasts in the community. And I can really sympathize to her frustrations in that regard....
and fortunately have found that in certain areas around here where that kinda stigma doesn't exist and where people don't give you a bad look if you say you don't go to church.
That was my only point really.
No offense was meant.

And by "heathens", I was speaking tongue-in-cheek.

[DesiiLiciouss]

First of all, let me make myself clear, I just used Larry the cable guy as an example to break the ice for those sensitive ppl.

Second, we all have our own definitions of what IS redneck and what is not. And, yes, racisim is everywhere, plenty of it in the Northeast as well, even though there's mixed culture all around.

I guess a white person wouldn't know whether they are the victim of racism from other white people. Only a gay person would know whether they are picking up bad vibes from someone or they aren't welcomed or an educated black (colored or whatever the politically correct term) person would know whether they are being victim of the racism. And, before I get bashed on why an educated black man vs. an educated black person? Difference would be, COMMON SENSE, an idiot who is abusing and not respecting the people around him/her and disrespecting the ppl in general, doesn't mean he/she necessarily need to break the law, it could be from playing loud music and yelling and screaming and when they are approached by a "white" police office to please keep it down, don't use the line, "OHH JUST BECAUSE WE ARE BLACK?!!. IS THAT IT?!!" Use some common sense. Those are the people that need to be smacked back of their head.


So having said that, again, without offending anyone, we all think about it, we all wonder about it, therefore do not blame or chastise me since I am just curious to know how it is from the non-colored point of view whether it is out in the open or it is there however people do their best not to show it.

As for me, I don't care what color, race, religion, age, sex, gays or not......... as long as you RESPECT the people and everything else around you & are friendly, you are ok in my book.

[VickiR]

Now now folks...be nice. Of course there are racists and rednecks everywhere. I don't like the racists but I did marry a redneck. One of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. My friends say he is a saint to be married to me. Wait. Is that a compliment to me or to him??? Hummmm. Anyway...I understand Desi's question...but what you see on TV is a bit...EXAGERATED! Most of the folks in the Raleigh/Cary area are educated and smart enough to have learned "to live and let live". However...some of the smaller towns nearby...well, they will shoot and ask questions later!!! Too funny!!! Its nice to be back from vacation!!! Vicki

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by VickiR

Now now folks...be nice. Of course there are racists and rednecks everywhere. I don't like the racists but I did marry a redneck. One of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. My friends say he is a saint to be married to me. Wait. Is that a compliment to me or to him??? Hummmm. Anyway...I understand Desi's question...but what you see on TV is a bit...EXAGERATED! Most of the folks in the Raleigh/Cary area are educated and smart enough to have learned "to live and let live". However...some of the smaller towns nearby...well, they will shoot and ask questions later!!! Too funny!!! Its nice to be back from vacation!!! Vicki

Some of my best friends and acquaintances back in NC would by NY standards, be considered Rednecks. As a pastor, I tried to see the good and overlook the bad. We don't often discuss politics. As one friend said to me recently, "down here we're toting Christians"(i.e.gun carrying christians). I was speaking to my Mom's banker there a few weeks ago. It was when the violence in the middle east was just heating up. When he found out that I used to be a pastor there, he said, "people keep asking me of what I think about what's going on in the middle east." He went on to say, "I tell them that I think it is great.....because I know what is coming next." Now this is a guy with a college degree and years in the banking business but with a worldview that most would consider somewhat unsophisticated. So, there are various levels of rednecks, and a person may be quite sophisticated in one area and somewhat redneck in another.
HUH??? Just confused myself.