"Southern Bashing" is exagerrated

[fujiyama]

I've seen several posters complaining about "southern bashing". To those posters, I'd say this: Get over it.

After all, it's not our fault, as liberals, that most people in the south continue to vote for policies that hurt them economically, or that the GOP panders to racists, like they did with Haley Barbour recently in MS.

It's not our fault that they try to keep prayer in schools, or that evolution is continuously trying to be banned in school curriculums.

It's not our fault, that 40% of those that voted in a referendum in AL regarding interracial marriages, voted to keep racist language in their state constitution.

It's not our fault that homophobia and racism are still especially acute in the deep south.

In short, we do have a right to criticize the voting habits of certain people and regions in this country, as long as we do of course recognize that not everyone in a certain region is a right wing nut.

Though, if I were to bash a state, it'd have to be Idaho. Fuckin home of several white supremecist groups.

[Syrinx]

1. i was wrong

[mhr]

2. I Live In The South And I Agree - Get Over It Southerners

If Southerners want to continue voting for a pResident with an IQ of 50, fine!

If Southerners want to continue to support a republican party that places corporate interests over the interest of citizens and workers, fine!

Why go on, the list is too long.

Southerners get over yourselves!

[Journeyman]

3. Rednecks . . . by Randy Newman . . .

seek out the lyrics. i won't reproduce 'em here. i'm sure you'll find, as randy did, it's all a state of mind. got nothing to do with geography.

www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Rednecks-lyrics-Randy-Newman/8F96DF1D1F62923B48256A3700484C22

[sendero]

17. Randy Newman...

... has written some of the best socio-political songs ever, he's right up there with Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie in my opinion.

And that song does a fine job of pointing out that there's plenty of dysfunction to go around in this country.

I'm a Texan, and I don't mind Southern bashing too much. The shoe doesn't happen to fit me, so I don't wear it :)

[Florida_Geek]

4. hell yes - down with white's only Idaho

potatoes :evilgrin:

[Bombtrack]

5. I come from the Boston suburbs but there is a soft-bigotry

of a large part of the northern left, namely the affluent northern left, about people in "flyover country" and particularly the south, that is just such a part of the problem with the left and what makes the republican party more successful in these various parts of the country. I am extremely sensitive to stereotyping of all kinds relating to status and class because my family was very low income and because of that the object of some ridicule from otherwise "liberal" people, during the early part of my life, in a northern affluent community.

Sorry but as much as many born-into-wealth liberals say they're just as tolerant as a whole as liberals who've struggled it's just not the case.

I really don't want to delve into it all right now but the issues are related. Regional resentment and class resentment. And I think your attitude is part of that whole missing of the point. The fact is, southern/rural mocking of northerners isn't a pervasive part of the media/societal exchange and pop culture, however the reverse is. Can you say "Cletus the slackjawed Yokel?". And that's on the greatest show ever.

[jonnyblitz]

8. for someone sensitive to stereotyping

you sure did a good job of stereotyping wealthy northeastern liberals ....

[fujiyama]

9. I'd say the regional conflicts

may be more due to ideological splits. After all, if you ever lurk on freerepublic, you'll see the opposite. I remember seeing frequent posts bashing "northern elitist liberals".

Let me make it clear. I myself have nothing against anyone regardless of where they're born, considering I wasn't born in the US. I find all steretypes absolutely idiotic.

However, I will remain critical of the voting habits of those in certain regions and/or states.

[Shoedogg]

6. homophibia, eh?

I didn't even know there were gay frogs. ;-)

[Wonco_the_Sane]

7. sheesh

You shouldn't have to "Bash" anyone to make yourself feel better. Is any other "bashing" overrated?? I won't even speculate.

I think we do need the South and attacking them does no good. You are right to be critical of the way many vote there but, that is far from bashing them.

[dbt]

10. We need more Southern Bashing on DU!

It keeps the Yankees afraid to come down here, you know. That means more weed for us hillbillies!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[supernova]

11. Hee Hee!

;-)

[mrbill]

14. we definately need more southern bashing

In the last ten years Yankee republicans have taken over my little county in Texas.

Damn carpetbaggers.

[unblock]

12. having lived in both places

northeast (boston area and now new jersey) and texas (austin) i have to say that BOTH sides are very wrong on this topic.

the northeast bashes the south, with special emphasis on texas, for being dumb and slow and backwater and redneck and whatever.

the south, with special emphasis on texas, bashes the northeast for being intellectual, arrogant, self-aggrandizing, and out-of-touch with the rest of the country.

it's all just stupid regionalism and it really bugs me. the cultures are different, sure, but neither is 'better' than the other. both regions should respect each other and learn from each other wherever they can.

republicans milk this regionalism for all they can, but democrats don't do enough to prevent this.

[GumboYaYa]

13. I think you are wrong.

I am from Louisiana and I contend that it is more liberal than many other places. The Times-Picayune, the main New Orleans newspaper, publishes wedding announcements from same-sex marriages (and no, people don't go into a hissy fit when two women or two men decide to get married). Do the Boston Herald or the New York Times do that?

New Orleans hosts Decadence week every year. It is a festival for gay people. It also happens to be a total kick in the ass and some of us so-called straight Southern bigots manage to get down there for the party too.

Louisiana also recently elected a Democratic Govenor. It has two Democratic Senators in the US Congress. In 2002 Mary Landrieu's victory was one of the few bright spots in the election for the Dems. Some people complain that LA's Senators are not liberal enough, but I sure as hell will take the Democratic Senators from LA over the Republican that got elected in Minnesota (a supposed bastion of liberalism). I would also point out that Arkansas elected a Denocratic Senator in 2002 as well.

When you make these statements about the "South" you hit some places where the facts are very different from your stereotypes.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

16. Louisiana is kind of special...sort of like New Mexico.

...iI think these are the only two states that have a indigenous non-English local culture and population that the US inherited when we took them over.

And New Orleans was, for many years, the only true city in the South (sort of like San Francisco was the only true city in the West).

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

15. Its too hot and humid down there.

why I wouldnt live there.

The other things too, but mostly the weather.

[SpartacusSC]

18. There may be some statistical truths in these statements, but.....

pointing them out repeatedly in a forum dedicated to progressive politics is like "preaching to the choir." The Southerners who read DU LIVE with and WORK against these knuckle-draggers every day, and we are doggedly fighting an up hill battle.

Everyone has the right to criticize whatever they want, but please bear in mind that being caught between rabid conservatism at home and "holier than thou" comments from fellow lefties in other parts of the county can be pretty disheartening. Saying "its not our fault, get over it" does little to solve the problems listed here. ;)

[newyawker99]

19. Hi SpartacusSC!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[SpartacusSC]

20. Thanks! Damn happy to be here.