Why is the South So United?

[Akno21]

Unlike any other region in the US, the entire South seems united with each other. Especially from what I can tell on the forum, there is a really strong sense of Dixie Pride that unites people from Florida to Mississippi to Arkansas. Why is that so prevelant in the South, and no where else in the country? (Now that I think more about it, perhaps the only other place in the country that inspires similar pride is NYC)

[Akno21]

Because the rest of the country picks on and insults us; we feel a need to stick together. This is true even in the forum, seen in all the jokes about abolishing or merging the SE with another region. This stems from the Civil War to a large degree, but includes the badmouthing and demeaning way Andrew Jackson was attacked as uncouth, the way HL Mencken attacked us during the Scopes Trials, the way we were stereotyped in the 1950/60s as television showed how SOME belligerent, evil people who lived in the South severely mistreated African Americans. The rest of the country, you did this to us, you made us feel the need to stick together and defend our honor. What John Rocker did to NYC (which was tacky, regrettable, and a minority opinion), YA'LL have been doing to us for 150 years. Stop stereotyping us in a demeaning way and we won't feel quite the need to stick together against you.

Of course H.L Mencken attacked you, I don't see how you can't mock the prosecution in that trial. The very idea of putting a teacher on trial for teaching evolution is surpassed in stupidity only by the law itself. You deserved what you got on that one.

If most white southerners were against the mistreatment of blacks, how come the white electorate kept on electing those guys to office? How come when Alabama repealed their inter-racial marriage ban in 2000, 41% voted to keep it?

As for Rocker's comments, while I certainly don't think most southerners are as extreme as him, people do agree with him, StatesRights stated that he did.

Have conservatives not sterotyped left-wingers as well? Has the image of a left-winger not been transferred to a long-haired, volvo-driving, american-flag burning, latte sipping, sissy? The South isn't the only one being steryotyped.

[Akno21]

Of course H.L Mencken attacked you, I don't see how you can't mock the prosecution in that trial. The very idea of putting a teacher on trial for teaching evolution is surpassed in stupidity only by the law itself. You deserved what you got on that one.

Absolutely, but in criticizing what was going on in one small town, he wrote disparaging things about an entire region. It creates a sense of persecution.  On a personal note, my great grandfather wrote a book not long after Scopes that basically pointed out that there were many progressive elements in the South that Mencken didn't bother to point out in his characterization & his sensationalist journalism. There are two kinds of Southerners who respond to the criticisms. The "f#*k you" group and the "were not all like that group. I think you'll find I fit in the "were not all like that" group. We have cities too, you know.

If most white southerners were against the mistreatment of blacks, how come the white electorate kept on electing those guys to office? How come when Alabama repealed their inter-racial marriage ban in 2000, 41% voted to keep it?

Why do Americans keep voting against their ecopnomic interests. Why do Americans elect reps who serve corporate America, even though about 80% of Americans don't trust corporate America? Your question is mighty oversimpliefied. 41% of people who voted in Ala were wrong. It's why I don't believe rights should be taken away by a simple majority. You'll find that's the main reason I won't be voting statesrights.

As for Rocker's comments, while I certainly don't think most southerners are as extreme as him, people do agree with him, StatesRights stated that he did.

I used it to answer the question in the thread, not defend Rocker. Is it okay for Northerners to make comments about inbreeding in the South? No. You'll find that's one of many reasons Southerners have a defensive nature about the North and big cities, where lots of bad, immoral stuff goes on. Again, he shouldn't have said it but I understand why he did and why many Southerners seemed to side with the persecution of him over the comments.

Have conservatives not stereotyped left-wingers as well? Has the image of a left-winger not been transferred to a long-haired, volvo-driving, american-flag burning, latte sipping, sissy? The South isn't the only one being steryotyped.

Yes, and it pisses me off to no end. In large part why the GOP shouldn't expect my vote anytime soon. I'm saying both stereotypes are wrong, and while it may be human nature to stereotype, it's also human nature to resent being labelled. That's exactly my point and the answer to the ?: "Why is the SOuth so United?

No arguments to any of your responses, Cash