Hello, I hope you are doing well. Please, let me explain the topic of this thread before I get attacked.

As a person living in California, it seems as if many people (not all, of course) who are raised and live in the Southern states of the US are still ignorant when it comes to a variety of issues, even though it is approximately a century and a half since the American Civil War. I am looking for an unbiased answer to this, because I really do not know much about the south and am really interested in finding out. This will be a starting point for much more research that I will conduct on my own.

Thank you.

J_9

I live in Tennessee. Never having been to California, it is the opinion of some of us ignorant southerners that people from California are liberal democrats that care about nothing more than beauty (silicone implant), hugging trees or bunnies, and money.

Now, see how ridiculous and ignorant that sounds? Your post above was just as ignorant about southerners as this one is about Californians.

No, I don't believe people in Cali are like this, but I'm just trying to show you what ignorance really is.

nauticalstar420

I have lived in California, Florida, North Carolina and Kentucky.

There are ignorant people EVERYWHERE. It is not limited to one state, or country for that matter. Ignorance does not come from a certain place, it comes from each person.

**EDIT** -- I meant, ignorance comes from each person who produces it. Sorry, I got a little keyboard happy and didnt finish my sentence.

Galveston1

This thread is informative to all of us. There is basically no difference in us that is the result of where we were born or live.

A short comment only slightly off subject. Ignorance is cured by information, but stupidity is terminal.

darhe3425

I'm not into defending positions, per se, but why is this not a legitimate question? Many people believe (although VictorLy worded it impolitely) believe that Southerners are ignorant. Not just some, but most. Where did this idea come from? Why shouldn't it be asked, without some real effort to answer without ostracizing the questioner? Why this bandwagon style of hushing the asker? He may have worded it differently than what is considered PC, but it is still a question, he says, for nothing other than mere research, why not give an answer that suffices? Southerners are often considered ignorant by their peer states, and this perception came from somewhere. Where? Why? When?
I don't believe most southerners are ignorant, but it is a stereotype that has stood the test of time, why?

Fr_Chuck

yes, it is merely an impression people have of others in general.

all of what nationality normally handle money better ?

all of what nationality each watermelon and fried chicken?

all of what nationality normally belongs to organised crime,

get the idea it is issued like trailer trash, or project moms and so on,

George_1950

It is simply a characterization used by the 'elites' to put-down their perceived rivals. Does anyone say John Edwards is ignorant? No. Did anyone say Bill Clinton was ignorant? No They were the fair-headed children of the liberal/fascist media elites who want to promote their own. But, George Bush? He can't even talk, so say the elites. Want to talk about stupid? Try Jimmy Carter: a walking, talking nice guy who is naive to a fault. But he was protected and promoted by the media, just as Obama is today. They will not criticize their own, but always use the South and southerners for convenient whipping boys.

oneguyinohio

Southern Extinction (short story) by Terry L Vinson on AuthorsDen

Here is a link to an interesting story about what might happen to the southern culture that might be of interest to someone reading this thread.

mimi03

I agree that the media does portray a very negative and slightly ignorant image of people in the south, having said that I even agree with some of the opinions that may be aroused by these stereotypes. I have lived in the south my entire life and feel that a majority of people I know and have met who were also raised here are very conservative, closed minded and obnoxiously religious, this is my opinion of most but certainly not ALL.

Just as easy as it is for me to ascribe those stereotypes to the people of the region I am familiar with, I am sure it is just as easy for others to do in all parts of the country and world for that matter. The important thing to remember is that although a person may grow up in a certain part of the country does not mean they are the same as everyone else there, that's just ridiculous at best!

darhe3425

a stereotype may survive over time because it is a generalization about a group of persons that has some ring of truth to it, but we may conveniently apply it to all to make our selves feel better as it gives us a reason to try to see ourselves as different. Do all people in that group eat watermelon? Do all people in that group involve themselves in organized crime? I thought Jimmy Carter was one of the greatest presidents we ever had! Who are the people that handle money the best? All of them? No. And George Bush, not being the brightest crayon in the box, reinforces the southern stereotype of ALL of them being ignorant. Which is not true, ...the stereotype.

George_1950

I like to disagree in an agreeable manner. Darhe3425 writes: "I thought Jimmy Carter was one of the greatest presidents we ever had!" Now, I believe Carter to be a likable guy and might make a good neighbor. And I respect your opinion, but why? Carter made a mess of the government of Georgia, in the name of 'reorganization'; he left the state government a bigger mess than he found it. He should never have been governor of Georgia, much less POTUS. Just recall the idiocy of 'boycotting' the olympics, and the effeteness of the U.S. military in Iran, not to mention the chaos he left the region with the downfall of the Shah of Iran.