The Yankee Problem in America

LewRockwell.com ^ | April 24, 2003 | Clyde Wilson

[Chi-townChief]

Being a baseball fan and growing up in Cleveland and Chicago in the 50s and 60s, I cannot help but think that "Yankees = Evil."

[warchild9]

I spent six years in New York City after a lifetime in rural North Carolina, and had a wonderful time. All my illusions about New Yorkers were turned over, as I found people from "the city" were actually quite friendly and usually pretty damned funny. Your average Southerner likes his Yankees where they belong, in their own homes up North, and not in OUR country. It's not hate, it's a nativism which I've always found lacking in most Northeasterners (save for some from Maine and New Hampshire--two awfully beautiful states, for those who've never been).

[warchild9]

That comment about Manhattan women is shockingly true. They're very forward about their attraction to Southern men, and will let you know it! How I could have scored if I wasn't courting the future Mrs. Warchild!

[arthurus]

The folks from the Southern region of our country often blur the Yankee label

In my part of the South- panhandle Florida, those who hale from the southern parts of the state are generally recognized as yankees. Actually they are mostly from New York.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

Anything south of I-4 is at risk of being in the North.

[arthurus]

Thank you. I think this author needs to get into this century. I got about halfway down the page before I couldn't read this rant anymore.

I see it as a bit af satire, even if it wasn't intended as such and one of a piece with many leftist descriptions of the south, a back-at-ya.

[katnip]

it's a nativism which I've always found lacking in most Northeasterners

Since so many in NYC are either immigrants or just 2nd or 3rd generation Americans, that may be true.

More different languages are spoken in the borough of Queens than anywhere else in the world. I can't remember where I read that, but I believe it to be true.

I think we're all just happy to be here.

[Lost Highway]

My favorite bumper sticker here in Nashville, TN.

"Help clean up the South. Put a Yankee on a bus."

Yes I am a transplanted Yankee. Better known here as a Carpetbagger.

[katnip]

It would be hard for any "city" woman to ignore the charms of a southern gentleman.

Images of manly cowboys plus old-fashioned manners make women feel like ladies.

[Catspaw]

I'm a Yankee.

Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 1863

"Old Abe" and "Color Guard" of the 8th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. At this time, Edward Homaston was eagle-bearer, so it is probable he is the man holding the stand. Armitage is third from the left.

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From the copy owned by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Visual Archives: Album 17.20

[Mister Baredog]

So far this year it's Yankees 2, Angels 1.

The Angels will remain WORLD CHAMPIONS until at least late October.

[wardaddy]

Yes...you are indeed a Yankee...lol

[wardaddy]

you are too kind...

[Catspaw]

I couldn't resist posting a picture of Old Abe :-))

[wardaddy]

Like Josey Wales says to the young gunslinger when he comes back into the saloon to confront Josey after first having second thoughts and says "I had to" and Josey replies "I know".

I know.

You are damn quick too...more proof you are a Yankee..lol

[GOPcapitalist]

Midwesterners, Yankees as well, don't rouse that same sort of irrational hatred.

In a way, it is what the author of this article describes - not all northerners are yankees in the formal sense. What Wilson is arguing is that the term applies to a certain strain of persons from New England, not all northerners. This strain is generally of Puritan origin and background. They are characterized by obnoxious self righteousness, arrogance, a belief that they are better than the rest of us, a strong penchant for ordering other people around, and a tendency to look down upon those who get in their way. In short, a Hillary Clinton.

[Little Bill]

The last Yankee left NE in 1870, most of us has been out West for the previous 40 years or so.

[GOPcapitalist]

When I think of Yankee, I think largely of New England snobs. The folks from the Southern region of our country often blur the Yankee label by indicating anyone born above their respective northern state boundry

If you read the article, you will find that Wilson goes out of his way to point out that his use of the term "yankee" specifically applies to a certain type of new englander and new englander outgrowth, and not all northerners in general.

[warchild9]

Actually, I think it's up to Southerners do decide what constitutes a Yankee, and a Midwesterner is a Yankee. We're just unsure whether or not we need to despise them.

[nanny]

"Yellow River" - is that intended as an insult?