Posted on 07/14/2005 6:10:21 AM PDT by robowombat
Bias against Southerners misses the mark By RICHARD COX Published July 11, 2005
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Does prejudice exist in Pasco County, an area with a very diverse population and seemingly very progressive?
I am certain that African-Americans, Hispanics and people from other countries, the poor and homeless, as well as members of certain religious faiths, experience treatment different from the mainstream populace. However, I am a member of a minority who has experienced attitudes and reactions from many individuals who assume that I am intellectually and socially challenged.
A very large percentage of the population of New Port Richey in particular is from the Northeast. I personally like the outspokenness, mince-no-words attitude, the ability to criticize as well as accept criticism without being offended, that seems to represent the culture in which Northerners grew up.
My family members seem to have the disadvantage of being born and living most of our lives in the South, in our case, Tennessee. I grew up in Knoxville, a city that many people seem to associate only with the fanatical behavior of our college football fans, and my wife is from a small city near Chattanooga.
There still seems to be a stereotype that some people associate with Tennesseans. When those individuals heard the distinct accent of my wife, my stepdaughter, and myself, it seemed to conjure up that redneck image one might associate with the humor of Jeff Foxworthy and other Southern comedians. That image is of a culture of ignorant hillbillies (certainly due to inbreeding!), barefoot, living in a shack with no indoor plumbing (but certainly an outhouse in back), having a dog living under the front porch, and owning an overgrown lawn populated with broken-down, dilapidated automobiles. And, yes, we all chew tobacco and sit on the front porch swing playing the banjo. Everyone also flies a Confederate flag and reminisces about the War Between the States.
I first noticed this attitude when my stepdaughter, an honor student, came home from middle school several days in tears because several other students harassed her daily, calling her an ignorant redneck and hillbilly among other derogatory terms. My wife and I have experienced the sudden change in facial expressions from many when they hear our accent. They seem to associate our accent with ignorance, and speak in simpler terms so that we can understand what they are saying. Telephone conversations often produce the same reaction.
I beg to differ. Tennessee is the home of several major universities, four major metropolitan areas with all the drug and gang problems associated with other large cities, and the most visited national park in the United States. Oak Ridge, in the Knoxville area, probably has as high a percentage of residents with doctorate degrees as any city in the United States. Tennessee has a musical heritage equal to none, and it is not exclusively country or bluegrass genres. Many nationally prominent politicians are from my home state, including three former presidents.
Tennessee has produced many famous musicians, actors, scientists and other intellectual and talented natives.
Well, to set the story straight, rural areas of most states have their own populace and dwellings that approach this stereotype.
My wife and I grew up in your average suburban neighborhoods, we both graduated from major universities and had successful professional careers, and, to risk seeming boastful, are probably as intelligent and knowledgeable, if not more so, than the average American. Believe it or not, East Tennessee, the section of the state we are from, fervently supported the Union during the Civil War.
I have noticed in the Pasco Times notices of meetings for various groups from areas of the Northeast and from other countries. Perhaps Southerners in our area should form a similar group. With apologies to an African-American group with a similar title, we could call our group the NAASF, the National Association for the Advancement of Southern Folks, Pasco County Branch. I hope there are enough local Southern residents available to attract to our organization.
--Richard Cox, a retired middle school science teacher and department head, lives in New Port Richey
Everyone is still awaiting the multitude of non neo-confederate threads you have posted since entering FR. What year was that again? 1865?
I dare you to match #1,317 with your own researched, photo documented, multi-linked presentation of factual evidence on the final days of the 'Lost Cause' - not your daily screaming & raving rants.
It would appear you're down for the count putzo :)
No Dixie Republic
Superbly recalled and presented. Here's a few more winners:
#10 There will be a forced 'Dixie Republic' by whatever means required - even it it means exterminating all "damnyankess".
11) All Southerners were always kind & loved the Indians - that's way the Cherokees wound up west of the Mississippi River.
12) 100,000 black Americans enslaved in the South faught willingly for a total Confederate victory - Slaves defending slave masters to remain slaves.
13) The Civil War "was started UNJUSTLY & in VIOLATION of the Constitution by the Lincoln coven of POWER-hungry damnyankee elitists" - Did "the Lincoln coven of POWER-hungry damnyankee elitists" all live in South Carolina?
14) Most of the victims of the ethnic cleansing of the 'Southland' were "persons of colour" (both slaves & freepersons) - he must be speaking of the KKK.
In terms of the complete list - there is not enough room on one thread. I was wondering if he shall attempt to refute each numbered item, or simply scream...'damnyankee bilge from racists dumb bunnies!!!! "
Mr DU-DUMMY, head over to DU & sup with the other BANNED ex-FReepers like WP,cvn76, #3fan & a HOST of other HATERS & FOOLS, who are just like you.
free dixie,sw
SORRY, but that is factual.
there was too much to be bothered with, especially from "m.eSPINola", the MORON, presumed RACIST & BIGOT.
i may get around to it one of these days, when i want to be bored or i want to LOL at him.
counselor, as usual, your argument is UNpersuasive.
free dixie,sw
Hopeless
begone to DU.
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
Who ever said you could really read? lol
head over to DU where fools, idiots, haters & RACISTS dwell. they will like YOU!
free dixie,sw
I was at that gig. I was one of the guitar pkayers and harmony singers with Joe for about 3 years.......cool story I remember it.
Tim
free dixie NOW,sw
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