Why is it that Yankees accuse Southerners of bigotry and close-mindedness, yet in the same breath-?

Question

they call us all stupid, ignorant, backwards, and we are all either members of the KKK, or we hate blacks, or something negative like that?

My yankee friend wanted to discuss "something intelligent" like space science or rockets, and I gleefully reminded him about one of the major space science research centers in Huntsville, Ala-dam-bama! and he had nothing to say.

Or, he thinks that if you ride around in a truck, have a Southern accent, eat grits, and say "dawg", it automatically makes you sound stupid.

He won't even listen to me when I try to tell him of the wonderful things the South has that they don't have up North.

I have been up north, and quite frankly, I was not impressed- smelly cities, rampant crime, no trees, garbage on the streets, and other treats the big city has to offer.

Any opinions?

I am not really against "Yankees", or any other people, no matter what they call themselves- I just really can't stand city people that assume that because I live in the country, I am automatically stupid.

Where I live, I can step out on my back porch and fire off my shotgun and the only question the neighbor will ask is "did you get 'um?" Try that stunt in the city and they call the SWAT team on your hiney.

And I also greatly dislike the suburbs where the houses are so close together you could spit on the neighbors' house even with asthma, or the yard can be cut with a Weed-Eater in 15 minutes or so.

I like to hear crickets and whipporwills at night. I like the fact that I don't have to lock my door at night, just latch the screen door to keep the dog inside.

I also think it's fine to go to college and get a degree in 13th century French literature, but don't whine when Bubba has to come to your house at 3 AM to fix a busted water pipe you have no clue how to fix.

Answer 1

Many people of the North still view the South through the Civil Rights era. Most Northerners have seen documentaries and news stories about it. They have little actual knowledge of this part of the country. I've lived other places and find racism exists everywhere. It is no more prevalent in the South than it is anywhere else. I chose to raise my children here I like it so much.

As a native of Mississippi, I (and all my fellow statesmen) must overcome the same sterotypes.you've mentioned. All you can do is expose their ignorance (in a polite manner) or bring them down for a visit.

Northerners are not the only ones guilty of this. In the South many people think the west coast is full of liberal, pot smoking, homosexual, atheists. That isn't a factual representation either.

Finally, I'll share a story with you..

More than a decade ago, I visited Las Vegas with my Uncle from California. We were in a restroom at a casino that had automatic faucets. (They were new at the time). I stood there looking for the handles. My Uncle laughed at me when I said I'd never seen them before and did not know how to turn them on. He asked, "Where do you live?" I replied "Alabama". He said smugly "That is why you don't know what to do". A gentleman at the next sink leaned over and said "Don't feel bad. We don't have these in Colorado either."

People are the same everywhere. Some good, some bad, but most of us are somewhere in the middle.

Answer 2

Yankees tend to think this way for the same reason that a lot of southerners think that all yanks are stuck-up whiny tree-hugging ultra-liberals. It's human nature. Unless you have lived in the south (or north, or anywhere else for that matter), you don't really understand the people who live there.

I used to be guilty of this myself. As a yank, I had the same preconceived notions about "redneck" southerners as most northerners. After I joined the Army, I came into contact with a lot of people from all across the states. I realized that people are pretty much the same all over, you just don't realize it because you've never spent any significant amount of time there.

I still think there's no place on earth like Manhattan, and I can't wait to go back "up north". But know now that there's also no place on earth like St. Louis or Dallas.

Answer 3

Sorry you ran into a jerk, doll. And I'm sorry you saw so little of the north other than the cities. Lose the knumbnuts jerk and come on up for another visit - only this time, do some travelling around the Upstate counties of New York.

Yo, I was born and reared in Oklahoma, lived in Arizona and New Mexico (including several years among the Hopi and Zuni) and have visited Virginia, West Virginia, Texas, California, Maryland, Kansas, Oregon, Washington (state) and Pennsylvania. Found things to like and dislike about all of 'em. Found plenty of idiots everywhere, and a fair number of fine human beings there, too. Give it time and keep an open mind. And I promise not to make fun of grits 'n gravy anymore!

Answer 4

Well, I don't think southerners are ignorant rednecks - however, I have been down south and come across some people that could be labeled as such. However, for the most part the south is wuite charming, the people are warm and friendly, and the food is great.
Just so you know, the north isn't all dirty cities with crime running rampant. Much of the states up north have absolutely beautiful areas that are a pleasure to live in, tons of farmland, as well as nice people.
I guess the point here, is that no matter where you go you are going to find places with crime, cities, horrible people, ignorant people, uneducated people.

Answer 5

Yes, I agree with you. The North has the "big head" (I'm from there, originally) because of the way Yankees are raised and
indoctrinated. Some of the things said about the South have
a little basis in truth (like junk cars in the yards) but I would
rather live down here than in Northern America.

Answer 6

I'm a native Virginian, but I've lived all over the place. I'm now living in Georgia, with my husband (a native Michigander). I moved to Michigan several years ago, and you're right...there are no trees, and the cities are incredibly dirty. It's good to be back "home". American by birth...southern by the grace of God. YEE HAW! lol Ok, just kidding on that last part...I don't actually say yee haw on a regular basis, but I do say ya'll and dawg. :D

Answer 7

theres southerners up here ,,and a lot of the folks down south arent southern at all ,, as jeff foxworthy says the accent makes the person think your not mensa, more like deliverance ,,,my folks had come to avery county,, North Carolina ,,in about 1720 and sold gunpowder to the continental congress ,,, and married cherokees ,,and in my family is about 21 millionaires ,,,and im two points from mensa ,,and live up north,,, but miss the mountains,, and married a girl from west virginia,, and my daughter is deans list and honors at a major college

Answer 8

Well if you want that kind of thinking to fade then get out of the civil war in your head and stop calling people "Yankees" and referring to the entire north as a treeless, ugly place, what's up with that?

Answer 9

There is too much accusation going on in our world and too many people who believe the accuser before they even hear the accused explaination. I live in the middle of the country so I cannot argue with either of you, but I do know we should be united rather than seperatists.

Answer 10

First, I don't know where you were in the north, but we have plenty of trees in New York City.

Secondly, cities everywhere, north or south, can smell.

Thirdly, plenty of areas in the south are poverty-stricken, run-down piles of hovels.

Fourthly, your friend is holding stereotypes about the south, just as you hold them about the north.