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Blame it on the harsh history of the south and the media successfully reinforcing those negative stereotypes. But one thing I want to say is that the only way to break the stereotypes of the south is for southerners to break the narrow point of view they have of the world. Do you notice how much fear they have of people who aren't white??? It's ignorant!!
Blame it on the harsh history of the south and the media successfully reinforcing those negative stereotypes. But one thing I want to say is that the only way to break the stereotypes of the south is for southerners to break the narrow point of view they have of the world. Do you notice how much fear they have of people who aren't white??? It's ignorant!!
The only thing I see Moderator cut: unnecessary is everything after the first sentence in the above.
Way to go on your first post.
Last edited by houstoner; 03-30-2009 at 01:30 PM..
Reason: unnecessary
The only thing I see Moderator cut: unnecessary is everything after the first sentence in the above.
Way to go on your first post.
I second that. He didn't consider the large percentage of southerners who AREN'T white. Nor did he account for the large percentage (majority) of white southerners who don't fit the lame stereotype.
It's a strikingly similar concept: 1. generalizations and stereotypes of people who aren't white 2. generalizations and stereotypes of people who live in the South. Aren't they both rather ignorant and narrowminded?
Last edited by houstoner; 03-30-2009 at 01:31 PM..
Reason: unnecessary
You're right, I do not live there and never have. BUT, I've been to Louisville a few times, and I do know that the vibe there is VERY different from the vibe in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, etc.
Anything remotely related to the South, whether presently or historically, is (usually) viewed with some sort of contempt, embarrassment, or shame on this site. It's as like people want to distance themselves from the South as much as possible.
why is southern often an insult? it is an area where there is more visibility of and more acceptance of:
racism
homophobia
south-shoulda-won-the-civil-war mentality
slavery was there and many still defend and justify it
the "good-old-boy" mindest is alive and well and thriving
granted, these things exist elsewhere but they are more prevalent, and more staunchly defended in, the South. This is based on my personal experience growing up in the south and also living in other parts of the US
it's like post-Holocaust Germany....there is a lot of shame and guilt and hatred that is focused toward that area with regards to a specific part of history, and the acts that went on there, and the mindset that led up to and allowed those events to happen and participated on those events
why is southern often an insult? it is an area where there is more visibility of and more acceptance of:
racism
homophobia
south-shoulda-won-the-civil-war mentality
slavery was there and many still defend and justify it
the "good-old-boy" mindest is alive and well and thriving
granted, these things exist elsewhere but they are more prevalent, and more staunchly defended in, the South. This is based on my personal experience growing up in the south and also living in other parts of the US
it's like post-Holocaust Germany....there is a lot of shame and guilt and hatred that is focused toward that area with regards to a specific part of history, and the acts that went on there, and the mindset that led up to and allowed those events to happen and participated on those events
So basically, you're chiding the South for possessing those attributes despite the fact that they exist everywhere else?
Despite the South's questionable history, those attributes are exceptions to the rule and NOT the rule. That is my point. Why continue to hold them to that when, for the most part, they've moved on and continue to make progress (i.e. attracting new industry)?
So basically, you're chiding the South for possessing those attributes despite the fact that they exist everywhere else?
Despite the South's questionable history, those attributes are exceptions to the rule and NOT the rule. That is my point. Why continue to hold them to that when, for the most part, they've moved on and continue to make progress (i.e. attracting new industry)?
history does not happen in a vacuum nor does it go away
it is more honest to own up to something and try to understand it, and get why it was wrong in the first place, and prevent it from happening again, than to get all hot and bothered and defensive and try to gloss over it with "that was then this is now" and "it goes on everywhere" and no big deal because "they've moved on"
anyone who is unwilling to talk about it, own up to it, and admit it was wrong still carries those same dangerous attitudes. I "hold them to that" because of the dangerous attitudes that still continue to exist. For instance saying "it's the same everywhere" is one such dangerous attitude.
it is NOT "the same everywhere" and all parts of the country do NOT have the "same" attitudes of racism and homophobia and hatred and defense and justification of bigotry. Talk to people who have lived in different parts of the country and see what feedback you get.
Another dangerous attitude is also given in the post above "they've moved on." Sounds good on paper, the reality is it is still a problem. The way to move on is not through glossing over and saying no big deal, or diminishing the ugliness that happened then and continues now because of many of the same attitudes.
even the phrase "questionable history" is offensive because it implies it may or may not have happened. Like people who say the Holocaust may or may not have happened, and if it did so what. That is a dangerous attitude.
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He didn't consider the large percentage of southerners who AREN'T white. 
