Originally Posted by Debbie S
Well, I don't think Tn sucks, but most of it is 'way behind the times, and people like Pah18 abound here. They are unable to take the slightest criticism or comparison without attacking. Maybe it's because here in Morristown I've noticed a lot of "helplessness" with life and "the way things are". This grew as basically a factory town, and that has been the big aspiration of a lot of people - a good job in a factory. Yes, things are changing and horizons are broadening, but people who are "from here" like to attack outsiders who criticize. They themselves can gripe all they want, but as soon as someone who "ain't from here" has an opinion or observation, they are very hateful - they don't want you to "larn them nothin'" as if you might think you are better than they are, or you know more than they do! God forbid that they are not the most informed, aware, educated, sophisticated townsfolk that ever lived! Perhaps they are tired of being reminded of how little they have lived with and accepted all their lives, yet they weren't curious or bold enough to actually venture out and find out how people live elsewhere. They are incredibly defensive.
This little town has a lot of people who think the "big wigs" are anyone with money/power/their own thriving business, etc. I learned in the big city that some people with money are merely big jerks. To me, a person is worthy of respect or admiration only if they do well for their community and treat others well. Too much power over politics and policies here has been in the hands of a handful of self-serving individuals who abuse their power, thus the attitude of some of the town natives.
Tn is a "right to work" state, I believe, which is a misnomer that means they hate unions and you can be fired with no warning for any reason, justified or not. Here's an interesting item: it was the Hispanics working at the local chicken processing plant who succeeded in unionizing it about 2 years ago! The locals simply complained and either worked there or left; of course, the same locals gripe about the Hispanic influence and label them all as "illegals". Yes, Redneckia is alive and well.
Tn is also at the bottom of the barrel for education, basically. (And bible classes are still given on the hush-hush in some of the public schools.) People who grew up here commonly think that the ACLU is a bad word, bad people have conspired to "take God out of the schools", atheists could be devil-worshippers, and yes, evolution is misguided and a sinful, harmful teaching.
As for support for the arts, intellectual discourse, stuff like that? Ha, ha, ha, ha - even at the local college, if you say something like "intellectual discourse" you'll get a lot of classmates looking at you like they just realized you are from Mars, and if there's a brave one, he/she will say, "Ah dunno whutchew jus' say-ed". Ok, ok, I'm being unfair describing how some speak, but really, don't they even listen to the news or any half-decent television show to hear more than 2-syllable words? I'm not being overboard here - if you bring your young children to live here, you must be extremely careful at home to foster better language, because your children will learn to say "ain't" and not bother to conjugate verbs (I don't, you don't, he don't) and will use double negatives (it don't matter none).
Yes, there are interesting, higher-minded people, but the percentage is so low that it makes it a constant fight warding off the oppression/repression and low achievement/apathy/low mentality of most of the local population. Also, the restrictive, narrow-minded religious attitude is crippling to "intelligent discourse" in general. And yes, this is a dry county. If you like the occasional mixed drink or wine with your meal, basically you can forget it. Live in Knoxville (although in Knoxville a few months ago I was seated next to two women in a restaurant discussing life there after moving from California a couple of years ago, and they were horrified. One of them has a son in high school who said he was leaving Knoxville for university in California as soon as he finished high school.) A few places here are allowed to sell you beer or wine coolers, and there are liquor stores, but the powers-that-be seem to assume that only low-lifes want alcohol, and upstanding people wouldn't want to be seen imbibing with their meal, would they? Liquor is sinful, doncha know? Freedom - even in "big city" Knoxville (really more like a big town) - is not valued or practiced like it is in many other areas of North America. It is easy to offend by saying things that are considered normal comments and/or discussion elsewhere.
I married a local man, and love the beautiful countryside and some aspects of the slower pace, but after 10 years I am starving for a greater number of more higher-minded, artsy, motivated people. I know a few lovely people here who feel the same way. We can speak to each other about these things, and we do what we can, but I am planning on leaving the area for at least 1/2 the year at a time in order to be among people who enjoy theory, intellect, cultural diversity, etc.
That's my take, for what it's worth. And by the way, even the people in Jefferson City (6-7 miles west of here) look down on Morristown, and consider it "rough" and "backwoods", etc. Jefferson City has Carson Newman Baptist College, and has had many international students and visitors, and more educated people perhaps (Carson-Newman is a 4-year college).
Sorry if I seem "negative". I have attempted to be precise in identifying factors, attitudes and realities of life here if you are not used to such a lifestyle. I am very glad more people are moving into the area so they can raise standards and raise awareness. However, I am old enough that I cannot wait the 10-20 years for the benefits, the old guard dying off, etc., which is why I will be choosing time away for various parts of the year, at least.
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12-30-2007, 02:23 PM
More often than not. 
May I ask where "Jersey Devil" came from? Or, just surmise?
And, btw, this is not meant to offend, but just a request that each of us be a little introspective before generalizing about others.
However, we are all entitled to our opinion and I see that we all have one too lol
Thanks, mbmouse. Mbmouse is here to save the day; that means that mighty mouse is on her way!
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