I'm from Toronto, Canada and I'm considering attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It seems like a good university and has the majors I'm interested in and Birmingham looks like a nice city, but I can't help but think about the stereotypes of Alabama. Is it true that the majority of people in Alabama are conservative Christians, and is it true that there is still a lot of noticeable racial tension in Alabama? I know that most stereotypes are usually false, but so many people say that Alabama is the real deal when it comes to stereotypes of the south. Is it really as bad as people make it out to be?
2007-12-03 12:04:33 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
We moved here from Chicago five years ago. When I flew down for my interview, my wife practically had to be forced onto the plane at gunpoint. Now I wouldn't be able to get her to leave.
Dispense with all the cliches. Birmingham is a great city with lots of entertainment (an astonishingly good music scene, if that's your deal), amazingly good restaurants, and a generally fun atmosphere. Plus, if you go out of your way to make friends (which is what you should do in any move, but in the South its particularly important), you'll have a great stay here.
The race thing just doesn't seem to be much of an issue in Birmingham, at least no more than any other major city. In fact, I see far less overt racism here than I witnessed in Chicago.
One caution. This is a football-mad place, as opposed to you hockey-mad Canadians. It isn't a bad thing. It's just part of the culture here. From late August through early January, you wouldn't believe how much of the conversation and the social life revolves around college football. We fought it at first, but then a very good friend just advised us to pick a team and go with the flow. It's amazing how many parties, games, and tailgates we have been invited to ever since (By the way, pick Auburn over Alabama. There are real cultural differences. Auburn seems to represent the new south, while Alabama seems to represent the old, dying redneck culture).
So good luck. For a place to live, pick the Southside area around Highland Avenue. It's really a great place to live with lots of diversity and fun.
2007-12-07 01:31:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Alabama Stereotypes
2016-10-05 23:26:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not living in Alabama now, but I lived in Alabama for many years. I'm from Birmingham. Like any other part of the country, there are always some ignorant people roaming about. I would agree with others that Birmingham is progressive as compared to the rest of the state. I'm am a rather progressive, non-religious person and I did ok. Most people should not give you any problem. I have a friend that goes to UAB, and from what I hear, it's a good school. The only thing that really annoyed me was the endless obsession with football. Just to let you know Birmingham does however have a hockey team.
2007-12-04 06:34:19 · answer #3 · answered by Rob 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Go and check it out....first and ask around while you are there.
That way at least you can get a "feel" for it.
Dont let the stereotypes prevent you from checking out.
To answer your questions, however, I would have to say...yes...all the things you asked about, there will be some degree of. It is the south and when you are in the small towns...People go to church on Sunday and they can be close minded to things that are different from what they know. They are not bad people....it's just what they know.
The upside is the University which would bring in some diversity, culture and new ideas. Birmingham is a nice city.
I am from south Ga and attended the University of GA in Athens. And coming from a small farm town to a college town was a big difference. Meaning that the college town was more open minded and even though there were alot of local Ga students and local southern students, there were students from other areas of the country. I still had a good experience.
Good luck in your decision
2007-12-03 12:26:39 · answer #4 · answered by Terri S 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I live in Birmingham and have for 50 years.I've seen the racial lines drawn and crossed.I have seen and am friends with every faith.
The city of Birmingham is a progressive city with several major colleges/universities(University of Alabama Birmingham,Samford University,Birmingham Southern College,Miles College.)
Stereotyping of people from Alabama or anywhere in the South still happens today because of a few bad apples.
So greetings from the City of Birmingham and the great state of Alabama.
2007-12-03 14:43:47 · answer #5 · answered by blakree 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
In parts of Alabama, yes it is like it's stereotypical profile. In Birmingham, no. Being a large city it has progressed. Yes, for the most part it is a bit more conservative than New York City or Los Angeles, but it is nothing like the people in the rural areas. There is racial tension, but like in any other large city, it depends on where you go. I think you could be happy there. Just remember, like any other large city there are neighborhoods best avoided. Not because of the race of the residents, but because in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods there is high crime.
2007-12-03 12:18:38 · answer #6 · answered by busymomkaren 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
My mothers family is from a small town close to Birmingham. Yes, it is the Bible belt. People in Birmingham are nice and I find that people treat you as you treat them. I would visit first any city if I was planning to move .UAB is an excellent school and all of my relatives go there for medical treatment. They would't go anywhere else!
2007-12-03 14:55:36 · answer #7 · answered by marym 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely noticeable racial tension in Alabama, especially to an outsider like yourself. You will totally notice it. But, interestingly, people seem to tolerate it quite well. I am an African American man and I grew up in Alabama for the first 22 years of my life. I have lived in Chicago, Illinois for the last 28 years. I have visited my mother in Alabama every year since I left there and it hasn't changed a whole lot in the time that I've been away. When I visit I am often put off when white merchants look right past me to wait on white customers first. I suppose if you're white, this can be an advantage, but to me it is offensive and I believe divisive. I would encourage you to go ahead and matriculate there because you could compound your learning by studying the contrast in cultures and maybe reach some understanding of what continues to divide us as people.
Bobby J.
2007-12-03 14:33:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 6⤋