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Originally Posted by VictorLy

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

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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.

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 didn't finish my sentence. :p

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.

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?

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,

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Originally Posted by 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?

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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 naïve 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.

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.

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!

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 ourselves 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.

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.

What about the rest of what I said? I still think Carter was a great president though, maybe just because I think he maintained his humanity, where many other presidents became, demigods in their own minds and in many of ours. If anything is ever a mess, it certainly cannot be the fault of one person, must be all of those who helped, or did nothing.

You may not like GW Bush, but ignorant he ain't.

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Originally Posted by VictorLy

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.

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Only truly ignorant person would attempt to solicit "unbiased" feedback by asking such a judgmental question. California represents 13% of the US population. I contend that there are more ignorant people in California than in all of the deep South.

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Originally Posted by RustyFairmount

Only truly ignorant person would attempt to solicit "unbiased" feedback by asking such a judgmental question. California represents 13% of the US population. I contend that there are more ignorant people in California than in all of the deep South.

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Hello, I clarified my question the same day I asked it; scroll down two questions to see what I wrote. For convenience's sake, here's part of it:

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The idea that people in the south aren't too intelligent is all over today's media, especially in slapstick movies made for teenagers. I really, really hate these types of stereotypes (I do not like stereotypes to begin with), and decided to look into how this stereotype started.

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The question was not supposed to be judgmental. I do admit that the way I asked it, without giving any background information about the words I used and why I was even asking it, may be interpreted in the wrong way, and I apologize for that. My main reason for asking the question was more about why the south is perceived like that by so many (e.g. media, stereotypes), and it was not my personal idea. I pointed out that I live in California not because I said California is better, but because that's the only state I really know, so I thought a more general perspective of forum members would help.

Thank you.

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Originally Posted by VictorLy

Hello, I clarified my question the exact same day I asked it; scroll down two questions to see what I wrote. For convenience's sake, here's part of it:


The question was not supposed to be judgmental. I do admit that the way I asked it, without giving any background information about the words I used and why I was even asking it, may be interpreted in the wrong way, and I apologize for that. My main reason for asking the question was more about why the south is perceived like that by so many (e.g. media, stereotypes), and it was not my personal idea. I pointed out that I live in California not because I said California is better, but because that's the only state I really know, so I thought a more general perspective of forum members would help.

Thank you.

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There is a reason for why this type of stereotyping is done; it is a psychological or sociological, and above me. But, just as "birds of a feather flock together", people get into cliques or groups and instantly deride those in another group. Why did the majority of New Yorkers coronate Hillary Clinton as their U.S. senator? Why are the majority of folks in Massachusetts so darn liberal that they will not vote-out Ted Kennedy? And they make fun of folks in the South? It sounds personal, but I don't believe it is; it is a way of polishing-up one's image or group's image.

I don't think it's about the south, north, east or west but simply about being rural or urban raised. Small town people tend to stick together and try to keep their values the same as that of their parents and grandparents. They don't welcome great changes but prefer to stick with what they know well. That doesn't make them ignorant at all - it's simply a matter of choice, and secluded areas can pattern their lives this way.

In larger areas we are touched by much more activity and must become involved to some extent for safety purposes, among other reasons. We hear the news repeatedly and discuss shocking events with our friends, associates, and family and walk away with a variety of viewpoints to think about. We know that we need to open up to change - even though most people don't welcome too much change into their lives - it is about growing spiritually and emotionally.

Rural people hear of these things, so they are not ignorant to the world around them - they simply are not pushed into change.

I really dislike the word "ignorant" even though I understand it's meaning. Over the years it's been hurled at people in anger to make them appear mindless. I think uninformed is a much nicer way to discuss it all.

Having lived in the south for most of my life I have come to realize that the southern steriotype is just as appealing to some as "goth" or "jock" or any other label one might give themselves. I've known many people who in fact do not live on farms or have the lifestyle of a southern badass, like they try and make themselves come across to be. In some cases its just as much a social strategy as it is a lifestyle one might live.

"I looked into issues such as racism, and statistics show that racism is higher in the south than anywhere else in the United States."

Which statistics? Studies show that racism is alive and well in every area of the country. It may be more overt in the 'South' but being sly about it doesn't reduce its negativity.

"Another topic that comes to mind now is gun control, and laws in the south are more lax, with many in its population who are more pro-gun than most other people in the United States."

For part of the answer, look to one of the causes of the Civil War - states' rights. In addition, many of those who settled in the South were like the Scots and Scots-Irish who dominated early western VA. Proud and self-sufficient, also very religious. Maintaining possession of their firearms was crucial for food and protection - and for many, still is. Combine a distrust with central govts and you have a pop that will keep their guns thank you very much...

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Originally Posted by VictorLy

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.

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I was raised in AK and then later in TX and from personal experience the southern states are actually a lot less intelligent than the northern states.

Now yes there that's the majority, but you always also have the minority.

But I base this statement on from what I've seen and from school systems.
In AK I Learned a lot in school. But when I moved to TX it took 3-5 more years more for the TX school systems to catch up to what I already was taught in AK and then even longer to start teaching me anything New.

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Originally Posted by Galveston1

You may not like GW Bush, but ignorant he ain't.

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He certainly does a damn good job of hiding his intelligence...

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Originally Posted by WVHiflyer

He certainly does a damn good job of hiding his intelligence....

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That is how Master Yoda talks, ain't it?

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Originally Posted by George_1950

That is how Master Yoda talks, ain't it?

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You mean Puppet Master Cheney...

Ok, I live in California now, but I was born and raised in Oklahoma, a few years in Texas as well. We are not ignorant! You sit there and talk about how you don't like people who stereotype, what are you doing? If you want to research that, than do it. But you need to watch how you phrase your questions. You are sounding like the ignorant one.

My approach as to why that thought still lives on.
I personally think the biggest reason as to why the north may think the south is "ignorant" is Solely based on the fact that many southerns do talk slower.. This by no means makes them ignorant.

If you flip the coin around the south could say the north is ignorant because they talk so fast and buy doing so, seem not to think it through well and may miss things.

If anything the biggest effect of north and south is the Climate itself causing the old saying Lower Slower ( state) I work outside all the time and I couldn't imagine working that fast in a much warmer climate. Just think how hard farming in the south is compared to the north.. That alone would make the human body physically want to slow down and as the body gets tired so does the speech speed.

Not that long ago Air conditioning was non existent. So think of the 100s of years of the south dealing with the heat just to sleep and wake up still tired. The " Slower" being confused with Ignorance. I've noticed all souther states has there own pace and for many physical reasons. But that's has nothing to do with lack of intelligence. Oops I see this is an old Thread and I'm laughing. ( Tongue and cheek) I must be ignorant and I'm form the North. Or maybe we should mention the body's brains loss by aging becoming slower in thought and speech. And at times I do feel ignorant or down right scared forgetting things.

I never heard where the Doctors in the south were ignorant. Arrogant I would believe there or here in the North.

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Originally Posted by Flying Blue Eagle

VICTORLY -#1 as you stated ( YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN IN 2 STATES< (NEVER I N A SOUTHERN STATE , I have been every state in the union except for one9 WASHINGTON) I am truly a reble by heart and birth, Above mentioned about some of the presidents of the great USA, there were also some from the great state of TN, I think you have as they say in the south , opened a big can of worms or a real big can of WIP A_ _. THere are more racist in the north then there is in the south, and CITY KIDS ARE downright LAZY , They dont know the real meaning of work, every one of them should put about a month of real farm life in befor saying how ignorant we are and stop to realize that us ignorant people help feed them the food that help keep them alive. AS for gun control - Where has all the crazy shootings and killings happen??? where ever you are getting your facts from, they did not know what the real facts are or you are reading them wrong or are to ignort to understand what you are reading I can't understand where you are getting you ( STATISTICS at) BEFOR YOU DO ANY MORE OF THIS ,I THINK YOU NEED TO GET A HISTORY BOOK AND ENCYP> AND STUDY IT < AND EVEN BETTER YET COME AND LIVE IN THE SOUTH FOR A FEW YEARS AND I DONT MEAN JUST ONE STATE< YOU"D LEARN A LOT AND CHANGE A LOT OF YOUR WRONG FEELINGS ::: A LOT OF THE THINGS YOU ENJOY TODAY WERE INVENTED HERE IN THE SOUTH OR MADE HERE IN THE SOUTH < THERE ARE MORE SIOUTHERN MEN & WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES then from the northern states, ALSO DURNING THE VET NAM SO CALLED WAR < THE ONES THAT BURNT THEIR CARDS AND WENT TO CANADA JUST TO KEEP FROM GOING IN THE MILITARY TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM< AND THEIR COUNTRY WERE FROM THE NORTH< THEN CAME BACK TO THE USA WHEN IT WAS OVER AND WANTED AMMESTASTY> WHICH THE PRESIDENT GAVE THEM. IF I HAD BEEN THE PRESIDENT I WOULD HAVE TOIL THEM > IF THEY can't FIGHT < TO MAINTAIN THER COUNTRYS FREEDOM <TO GO BACK WHERE THEY HAD BEEN BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DESERVE IT ( FREEDOM ) AND WHAT AMERICA ALWYS STOOD UP FOR . Theres an old saying here in the south and thats :: ( REBELS SAVE YOUR CONFEDRET MONEY <FOR THE SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN>):::!! GOOD AND GOOD LUCK ( YOULL NEED IT ) GOD BLESS < GOOD OLE SOUTHERN SAYING>:: F.B.E. PS A LOT OF YOU HAVE GIVEN REAL GOOD ANSWERS TO HIS STUPID QUESTION < GOOD GOING::::: !!!!! F.B.E.

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Who the he'll wrote this? If you're going to go off on a ridiculous rant like this, here are a few suggestions. Practice your grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure. On second thought you should probably give up! We all know how well southerners deal with change.

I expect the answer to this question lies in what you consider ignorant. By ignorant do you mean rude and lacking manners? Or do you mean uneducated and lacking knowledge ? Or do you mean of lower intelligence level? Perhaps you mean backward in social development as in a third world country

Exactly what do you mean?

I'm a resident of Mississippi, my family has been in this area since the late 1700's. My family is well educated, I have had the pleasure of living all over the country and travelling around the world. Most people from this region haven't experienced much outside their area, and seldom do people question anything taught to them by their parents or peers. It some respects it can be nice , for instance our 'Southern Hospitality' , but the negetive can be the resistance to open minded exchange of new ideas. The facts are that my state ranks highest in all things negetive, teen pregnancy, STD's, illegitamacy, spousal abuse, school drop outs, child mortality, obesity,. etc. I was in college before I realized just how many people in my area were incapable of reading or writing. It's very unfourtunate. It can also be a some what frightening place if you move here belonging to a religion other than fundamental Christanity. My family did not endorse organize religion, instead I was taught the beauty of diversity and the empowerment of knowlegde and the importance of tolerance. So, we Southerners come in many varieties. I find nothing offensive about your curiosity; I suppose I would be defensive if I deep down I thought myself ' ignorant' . I'm 40 years old, I spent 12 years in the public Mississippi school system. I attended 7 years of college in state , studies in Art and Cultural Anthroplogy ,also I was an airman in the U.S.A.F.. I currently reside in Southern Mississippi. Keep us in your thoughts, we are going to suffer from this oil spill for a very long time.

I'm a resident of Mississippi, my family has been in this area since the late 1700's. My family is well educated, I have had the pleasure of living all over the country and travelling around the world. Most people from this region haven't experienced much outside their area, and seldom do people question anything taught to them by their parents or peers. It some respects it can be nice , for instance our 'Southern Hospitality' , but the negetive can be the resistance to open minded exchange of new ideas. The facts are that my state ranks highest in all things negetive, teen pregnancy, STD's, illegitamacy, spousal abuse, school drop outs, child mortality, obesity,. etc. I was in college before I realized just how many people in my area were incapable of reading or writing. It's very unfourtunate. It can also be a some what frightening place if you move here belonging to a religion other than fundamental Christanity. My family did not endorse organize religion, instead I was taught the beauty of diversity and the empowerment of knowlegde and the importance of tolerance. So, we Southerners come in many varieties. I find nothing offensive about your curiosity; I suppose I would be defensive if I deep down I thought myself ' ignorant' . I'm 40 years old, I spent 12 years in the public Mississippi school system. I attended 7 years of college in state , studies in Art and Cultural Anthroplogy ,also I was an airman in the U.S.A.F.. I currently reside in Southern Mississippi. Keep us in your thoughts, we are going to suffer from this oil spill for a very long time.