I have been watching a special on A & E about the KKK & racism in the south. I have to say that I am humiliated by these people that designated Alabama a "white state" and all gays, jews, and blacks should go elsewhere. I have lived in Alabama all my life and I just want to let people who have never been here know that not everyone feel this way. In fact, I personally have never seen any racist acts in person here. Therefore, I strongly believe that news broadcasts and such pick out the worst in Alabama and televise it. I couldn't tell you how many times I was humiliated by someone representing AL on the news talking about hurricane Katrina and thier trailor blowing away all the while having no teeth, holding a cigarette, 9 mos. pregnant, and talking in the most southern accent I have ever heard in my life. Bottom line: there are plenty of happy African Americans in Alabama, and we are not all rednecks. Just because we love hunting & football, does not make us stupid. Anyone agree???
2006-06-26 17:38:32 · 10 answers · asked by Brooke~* 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
We were a "white state" a few decades ago, but not anymore. They always forget we're in the Bible belt and focus on the crazier people. I would dare say that we are happier and more sane than most Northerners. We are no more racist than anywhere else. New York is probably more racist than us. Or is the rest of the country jealous of the U of A's football championships?
2006-06-27 09:02:53 · answer #1 · answered by schoolandgolf 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I strongly agree with what you say even though Im a mississippi southern gurl and will always ,be people do think of Alabama as a "white state". I was talking to this person online and he asked where I was from and I said Ms and he said isnt it hard because of all the rednecks with a shotgun sitting on there porch. I just laughed because people they believe everything they hear and yea during like slavery days and during times when whites and blacks didnt get along yea Alabama and Ms wasnt the best of states and yea white folks were like everything and you would be better off moving somewhere else in the north. But I agree with what you are saying because yea Im scared that there are still KKK's around here but im not going to stereotype someone just because of where they are and im not going to stereotype a place just because of what happened before in the past. Hope I answered your question.
2006-06-27 00:46:53 · answer #2 · answered by poohdilworth 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I lived in Alabama in the 60' and 70's. I know everyone there is not a redneck but the area I grew up in had signs advertising the KKK meetings!!!! I don't know how much more racist you can get than that!! My husbands family lives in Ga. and they talk about the n-----s all the time, makes me sick to my stomach!!!!! When there are tragedies in life they do seem to find the worst examples, I think that's what they look for.
2006-06-27 01:23:35 · answer #3 · answered by bsnana 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As one who has lived north of the Mason-Dixon for many years now, I believe one of the issues is simply that people who live in many states still do not know how to deal with people of other races because they haven't had to. I've lived both in New Jersey and in Illinois, and unless you go to the cities, you rarely see an African-American person.
Despite popular belief, many freed slaves chose to stay in the South. Therefore, the South had to learn decades ago how to live in harmony. Sure, it took a lot of embarrassing upheaval in the 1960s to make it happen, but the South DID learn. As person who was in elementary school when desegregation occurred in Alabama, I can tell you that I never saw any racist issues in my neighborhood -- although the news was quick to show them to me on TV.
Because the black population is so small in some states, many people outside the South simply have never had to learn how to live together. So -- as it seems to be human nature -- they've transferred their inabilities onto Southerners by dredging up stuff from the past as examples. "See? They're worse than us!" And it simply isn't true.
As for your other issue -- the gun toting barefoot tobacco chewing slow talking toothless Camaro on blocks ignorant Southerner -- let me also assure you that White Trash lives everywhere. I've seen it in Connecticut and New Jersey just as much as I've seen it in Alabama. I think movie producers -- many of whom are natives of states such as Connecticut and New Jersey -- just don't find it as funny to make fun of themselves as they do people they've never met and will never understand.
2006-06-28 09:52:49 · answer #4 · answered by ckvz01 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I'm from GA and people do the same thing to us...
I had a friend visit from Boston one summer and she planned a million things for us to do ...all outside( in July!)...by the end of the day she said she knew why southerners had the stereotype of moving slowly...it's too damn hot here to do anything else!
2006-06-27 00:44:45 · answer #5 · answered by Alauria B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the people who slam Alabama are bigots themselves. So I wouldn't worry too much about it.
On the other hand, we fit the bill in one essential Southern stereotype: Our beautiful women. Sorry, if your photo hasn't been photoshopped, I daresay that you're hotter than flowing lava. Just had to get that off my chest.
2006-06-27 13:39:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
You know it's all blown out of proportion and made fun of, so don't take it into yourself and let anger build. The best way to help get rid of wrong ideas is to live the right ones and let them see what's real. You know it's the wackos that get the attention and it will always be that way. Every state has it's label. They think all Californians eat tofu and contemplate their belly buttons all day. I can't remember the last time I had time to deal with my belly button! ;)
2006-06-27 01:00:42 · answer #7 · answered by Myr 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I live in Alabama. In Fayette, Walker & Winston counties, there are many toothless, barefoot, redneck people, but most of these people are down-to-earth good people... not stupid racist snobs. I LOVE ALABAMA!
2006-06-27 01:01:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yep, I sorta agree. Most of the southern states are stereotyped
2006-06-27 00:42:44 · answer #9 · answered by T4Toyin 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well I have seen and heard of racists ..they do exist and yes they are in Alabama ...They are everywhere............Katrina victims need to get a grip and stop using the governments money....yes it was devastating to everyone...My heart went out to all the victims,,,but hey its over with they all need to get on with their lives and quit wanting people to feel sorry for them....
I am sorry but you are wrong Alabama and Georgia are full of rednecks !!!! lol and no i am not one but I see them all the time
2006-06-27 00:48:07 · answer #10 · answered by Mrs. M 5 · 0⤊ 9⤋