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This post is on point. You can use Philly, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, DC, or Baltimore. Most white people don't understand black culture because they never had to. I'm not trying to turn this into a racial debate but black culture from the south transcends any borders or boundaries. The Mason Dixon reference was idiotic. You can go to any northern city or midatlantic city and the black people there are very similar in culture. They may talk a bit differently and dress differently but the share similar history, food, music, etc... Black people in all of these cities (like it or not) have southern traits and characteristics. Are they southern? No. not at all. It's like asking an Italian or Polish family are they European? No but they have many traditions that were passed along that are still in play today.
Then the issue is which city has more black influence. When I think 'black' I don't think 'Southern!' Who does?! Not all black culture is southern, but, obviously, all southern culture is.
[quote=LucasS6;8345639]Then the issue is which city has more black influence. When I think 'black' I don't think 'Southern!' Who does?quote]
When 55% of the nation's African-American population lives in the south you would think people would take note of that. As always the people on this forum (espescially northerners) deal with perception and not facts. Also, if you read the original post within the first four or five words he mentioned where most of the southern influence he is talking about came from.
Last edited by UTHORNS96; 04-14-2009 at 09:02 PM..
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[quote=UTHORNS96;8346714]
Quote:
Originally Posted by LucasS6
Then the issue is which city has more black influence. When I think 'black' I don't think 'Southern!' Who does?quote]
When 55% of the nation's African-American population lives in the south you would think people would take note of that. As always the people on this forum (espescially norhterners) deal with perception and not facts. Also, if you read the original post within the first four or five words he mentioned where most of the southern influence he is talking about came from.
That's exactly what I meant. I probably don't need to mention this but I made in a typo in the original post, African American not African. And in addition to southern culture - and southern black culture (which broadly overlap) - I did think Philadelphia might have had traces of southern, since Baltimore was a southern city until not to long ago.
Then the issue is which city has more black influence. When I think 'black' I don't think 'Southern!' Who does?quote]
When 55% of the nation's African-American population lives in the south you would think people would take note of that. As always the people on this forum (espescially northerners) deal with perception and not facts. Also, if you read the original post within the first four or five words he mentioned where most of the southern influence he is talking about came from.
Sorry about my earlier sarcastic post, it was just that the last thing that comes to my mind when I think about Philly or Chicago is the south!
55 percent? That seems a little overstated, but I'll take your word for it. I know many blacks live in the rural south, but I assumed many (if not most) left for the north during the great migration.
As far as black culture being southern, it is to an extent, especially in the Midwest. Many blacks in Michigan, as well as Chicago, have a very distinctive southern accent, along with ALL of the southern slang (y'all, ain't, fixin ta, etc.). They don't sound like Michiganders at all, and have no trace of a Northern Midwest/Great Lakes accent, despite being born in Michigan and being surrounded by Midwestern speakers. Some blacks also prepare southern food like grits, greens, fried chicken, and black eyed peas, despite being from Michigan.
It's worth noting that not all blacks speak this way or share these cultural traits, however, and many do sound like other Midwesterners, with no trace of a southern accent, and no remnant of southern culture.
Sorry about my earlier sarcastic post, it was just that the last thing that comes to my mind when I think about Philly or Chicago is the south!
55 percent? That seems a little overstated, but I'll take your word for it. I know many blacks live in the rural south, but I assumed many (if not most) left for the north during the great migration.
As far as black culture being southern, it is to an extent, especially in the Midwest. Many blacks in Michigan, as well as Chicago, have a very distinctive southern accent, along with ALL of the southern slang (y'all, ain't, fixin ta, etc.). They don't sound like Michiganders at all, and have no trace of a Northern Midwest/Great Lakes accent, despite being born in Michigan and being surrounded by Midwestern speakers. Some blacks also prepare southern food like grits, greens, fried chicken, and black eyed peas, despite being from Michigan.
It's worth noting that not all blacks speak this way or share these cultural traits, however, and many do sound like other Midwesterners, with no trace of a southern accent, and no remnant of southern culture.
While this isn't where I originally got the 55% number from this population map kind of gives you a good idea. Notice how the further north you get you see red concentrated in urban areas of the north (espescially Detriot and Chicago). But in the south you are seeing red all over the map. HowStuffWorks "Maps of United States African American Population"
And yes, quite a few blacks moved to northern cities during the great migration. But the population of blacks was still so concentrated in the south that even that did not take away the southern majority. Lately it seems that many blacks are moving back to the south.
And you are right on the money with the southern slang blacks use. That seems to be common for most blacks anywhere in the country. Of course each region of blacks has their own regional slang. But they all use those words that you wouldn't typically associate with a northern speaker.
Now while I will say Chicago, if you've ever rode the bus in Chicago or been around a bunch of high schoolers you won't hear any southern accents. Im from Chicago but currently down south and the people here talk nothing like in Chicago. Actually when I first got here people told me that I talked funny or had an accent. Chicago is a hotspot for blues due to a big southern influence but as far as the speech..no at least not with the younger generations
So when we ask if Virginia Beach or Hampton Roads is "more southern" the correct answer is whichever has more blacks? I see now. 55% after all!!!
It has nothing to do with number of blacks. It has to do with history. Obviously your knowledge of history is lacking in a terrible way. When a large number of blacks that live in the north have southern roots it just makes sense that some things would be carried over. Espescially in some areas more than other. Instead of getting sarcastic because someone is giving you information to supplement your incomplete knowledge of of the subject just consider it and try to have a decent conversation about it. It says you live in Honolulu so I don't know if you're originally from the north or not but you sure are acting like it. Arrogant, self satisfied, rude. Just chill out a bit and listen to what someone is saying instead of always being confrontational.
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