Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I did read the OP. I have immediate family that has lived in NC for many years that I've frequently visited including Wilmington, New Bern, and Raleigh and I've watched them all grow and change. From a cultural perspective, especially in a city like Raleigh, is that it's new South. Where I differ in opinion is it's still Southern just the same, even if a bit diluted. If it's not traditionally Southern enough, then you've got yourself a Southern purity test which would have made a better thread title.
Wilmington is definitely a Southern influenced part of the State. Raleigh isn't, nor is New Bern.
Like I said, I've traveled all up and down I-95 and I-81. These regions all have their own cultural influences. I can't consider NC 100% South, or even fully "Southern Influenced" at this point because of the changing demographic.
As for "New South" maybe you could elaborate further?
I hate to break it to you, but it must seem like you really don't travel outside of NC if you think it's "100% Southern". This is an absurd claim, actually.
Lol... stop putting words in my mouth, and please refrain from speaking about where I've been. I literally live outside the state. In the actual North. And travel back and forth regularly.
NC as a whole is Southern with obvious other influences, no different than Atlanta/Georgia, or Nashville, or any other Southern place, particularly the "New South." However, that doesn't make it "Northern" or "Mid-Atlantic" (or the transition zone between the three), which have specific and distinct characteristics. Just about nothing in NC fundamentally resembles the actual Mid-Atlantic, much less the North, for better or worse, from the architecture to the demographics to the unique maritime culture. Just because there are transplants from other parts of the country, doesn't make NC somehow the dividing line that you claim. This is honestly quite laughable...
Using your logic, since many Northern cities received vast amounts of migration from the South historically, they are also the dividing line between the North, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South...? Like NYC, Philly, Pittsburgh, etc.? So New York State and Pennsylvania are the dividing line between the North, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South? I'd love for you to tell that to anyone living up there.
"Dividing line between the North, Mid-Atlantic, and the South" how do you even have a dividing line between three regions, one of which itself is regarded as the transition zone (yet also a distinct area) between the North and South?
NoVa, or perhaps Baltimore or even Hampton Roads, would much better serve as this designation. Stop trying to make/label North Carolina something it's not.
This is the realistic line between where Southern culture becomes the full dominant (as in there is little to no other cultures even noticeable).
Wilmington is definitely a Southern influenced part of the State. Raleigh isn't, nor is New Bern.
The fact that you are literally claiming that Raleigh isn't even "Southern influenced" invalidates just about any argument you may have. THAT is truly delusional.
Lol... stop putting words in my mouth, and please refrain from speaking about where I've been. I literally live outside the state. In the actual North. And travel back and forth regularly.
NC as a whole is Southern with obvious other influences, no different than Atlanta/Georgia, or Nashville, or any other Southern place, particularly the "New South." However, that doesn't make it "Northern" or "Mid-Atlantic" (or the transition zone between the three), which have specific and distinct characteristics. Just about nothing in NC fundamentally resembles the actual Mid-Atlantic, much less the North, for better or worse, from the architecture to the demographics to the unique maritime culture. Just because there are transplants from other parts of the country, doesn't make NC somehow the dividing line that you claim. This is honestly quite laughable...
Using your logic, since many Northern cities received vast amounts of migration from the South historically, they are also the dividing line between the North, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South...? Like NYC, Philly, Pittsburgh, etc.? So New York State and Pennsylvania are the dividing line between the North, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South? I'd love for you to tell that to anyone living up there.
Yeah the Downriver area of Michigan had significant migration of southern white people moving in to work in the auto industry. Not to mention the large amount of migration to Detroit proper of black people from the South decades ago. Would be funny if someone called Michigan southern for that reason.
When it comes to North Carolina, I suspect that Mid-Atlantic is going to be in an area 10 or more miles away from an interstate highway, whereas rural areas will retain their southern authenticity. I don't think there's anything southern eating at a Chipotle in Cary.
All this time I thought the first time I went to Virginia (from Washington DC went to Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon -the rural estate of George Washington, was interesting to learn I was walking on the unmarked graves of slaves as they were buried throughout the property according to the guide, not an expected information in response to me asking where were the slaves buried-, and to the Tyson Square Mall), I was in the South as soon I crossed the river.
Then again, the only places I have been in Florida is Central Florida and South Florida. I swore I was not just in the south, but the southern part of the South. One day I was made aware that the South ends further north. Bummer.
So there you go, the places I've spent the most time in the South are its most northern and southern parts of the South that isn't the "real" South. No wonder I haven't met much the southern accent in southern people. lol
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
