Generalizing Southerners As Racists?

Question

I don't understand how people get away with arguing that all white Southerners are dumb racist rednecks, but it is a faux-pas to generalize people of other races. Personally, I don't generalize, but I am curious as to how people rationalize the argument that all white Southern people are ignorant racist hillbillies.

Answer 1

This misconception is the result of several factors. I'll address the major factor. The entertainment industry has greatly influenced the masses into thinking the south is full of illiterate, un-bathed, and toothless homophobes. So blame the media/entertainment complex.

The truth is that the term "southern hospitality" comes from the ongoing tradition that true Southerners will welcome anyone in and treat them like family.

The south has its past and its flaws, but those in the south don't deserve the pre-judgment they've received over the years. After all, it's those damn Yankees that are unkind and impolite and rude and obnoxious and blah blah blah.

I guess human nature may play a part in this. That's why legitimate IQ tests are designed differently for specific geographic locations. Right?

Answer 2

Having lived in the west, mid-west, south, and mid-atlantic, I can honestly say southerners are not all racist morons. I think that this stereotype is kept alive based on the poor education system in the deep south. Not all southern states have completely recovered from the reconstruction era. Southern states are consistently at the bottom nation wide when it comes to education.

The racist thing is beyond me. I know that the south fought over the right of a state to choose whether or not they could have slavery, but that was 145 years ago. Even then, the entire country would be considered racist by today's standards. As for today, I believe the south is pretty tolerant of all races. I saw more rebel flags in Ohio than I have ever seen in the south.

Overall, it is just another stupid stereotype. Unfortunately people take them seriously sometimes. I live in the south now and I have never laughed harder than I did the first time I saw the Family Guy episode when they were living in the south. It is so not true it is funny. I wouldn't let a little thing like this get to you.

Answer 3

I agree with you, but I tend to believe that there are a lot more racist individuals in the Southern States than any where else. According to The Southern Poverty Law Center there are more Racial Hate Groups per Ca pita in the Southern States than any where else in the Country. The South is the birthplace of the KKK. In this political age of Conservatism, I think that Racist's feel a lot more comfortable maintaining and spreading their views. Racial Hate Group enrollment is up 33% over the last five years. Violence has also increased everywhere over the last five years.

Answer 4

Of course, historically, there has been a lot of truth to it but it really become the exception, not the rule. Things have changed a lot. Northerners can be just as racist sometimes. It's just that they have generally been more subtle about it. Everybody has some prejudice but most people know better than to let it get the best of them. There's a smidgen of truth to most stereotypes.
At least you could probably say Southerners are more honest about their feelings.

Answer 5

There are many areas of the south that are much as there were more than 50 years ago as far as racism. There are many areas and many people who are not that way. People are ignorant if they think that this happens only in the south; that is why so many people in other parts of the country get away without being tagged as racist. I do believe that why people may be more racist in some areas asa opposed to others is simply because of exposure to more cultures. I say it all the time, if you meet people from other cultures and races and befirend them, it is hard to make sweeping generalities like that.

Answer 6

I agree with you. I know people from the south and they aren't racist but they are bigots, but just 'cuz of that, I don't go accusing every southerner of being racist. Now, because the south is where most of the racism is in this country, is why people assume that everyone coming from there is racist as well, which I find to be wrong.
:)

Answer 7

Many (not all) southerners, especially those whose families have been there for generations, still think they should have won the civil war. And many of them are racist, relatively more per capita than in the north. You are right that people should never assume racism of someone, but southerners tend to dig their own grave with that one.

Answer 8

as a black man myself, i don't believe that all southerners are racist. it seem that way because thru out the history books we are told that the south still wanted to keep slaves. point is that there are a lot of blacks living in the south and i cant remember the last time one was lynched for no reason. fact is that racism is everywhere. but things are better. the Klan still exist in the south and everywhere people hate others for the color of their skin. and lets face it racism in one form or another is kept alive by all sides. i watch NASCAR on tv every week (cept the road courses) but wouldn't feel comfortable in Daytona @ the 500. can you feel me? ask yourself, if you are white, would you feel comfortable at the Indiana Black expo? if you can honestly answer yes, then good for you. lots of white folks go. but a lot more stay home. that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Peace!

Answer 9

Uh, my mother's a white Southerner, and I'm a Native Southerner. I personally always found it offensive that we're pegged for being racist all the time, and it's annoying.

Answer 10

I'm not sure if it is rationalized but you are correct, it is a common misconception. At least I hope it is.

Historically, those from the south were looked upon as racist. Technically, the north was racist as well. The dividing factor was that the north did not agree with slavery.

Stereotypes are very prevalent in society today, regardless of color, creed, sexual orientation.

Answer 11

People stereotype and it doesn't seem like anyone has the intelligence to know that not every single person of one group are exactly the same. I know for a fact that there are racist rednecks down south but I also know that there are racist black people down south too. I also know that there are both on the west coast, east coast, midwest and everywhere you turn. People are so ridiculous.