A BONE TO PICK

I have been hearing inaccurate and unfair rumblings of late about what it means to be from the south. The news media has inferred that the despicable crime of dog-fighting (as it pertains to Michael Vick) is just part of southern culture and that Vick didn't realize inhumane treatment of animals was wrong. I find this line of thinking as offensive as racial bigotry. It is not only grossly erroneous, but it reflects the ignorance of people who report this as fact.

I know, I've heard all the jokes that paint us as truck driving rednecks who proudly fly the Confederate flag while whistling Dixie. But nothing could be further from the truth. I have lived in the South all my life, and I have never met anyone who has even been to a dog fight, flown the Confederate flag, or been in a children's beauty pageant (ala Jon Benet). I've never been interested in car racing and bluegrass music does nothing for me. And, I suppose I am growing a bit testy over this still acceptable stereotype that portrays Southern people as stupid, uncultured, hicks who think the only good book ever written other than the Bible was Gone With the Wind.

Our country has become such a conglomeration of cultures - and that is a wonderful thing. There are no clear divides, such as the proverbial Mason Dixon line - we are a people of variety from different countries with different languages and religions. Lumping people together based on where they live and painting them with the same brush is ludicrous, and wrong.

There are still prejudices, I suppose, that have not risen to the level of public revulsion that racial bigotry has, and this stereotypical presentation of the South is one of them. Perhaps we need to change that. Perhaps we need to stop snickering politely when someone tells a redneck joke because it simply perpetuates the acceptance of the inaccuracy. I know Jeff Foxworthy would be out of a job - as would Larry the Cable Guy and all those other comedians, but they have already made millions, so we don't have to worry about them. Perhaps we should stop being so polite when we are insulted. Maybe we should be writing the cable news shows and challenging their remarks. We should be resisting labels of ANY KIND in this country actually.

So - this blog is just one southern gal's way of saying she has had enough. I am happy to be from the South. It is lovely here. There are wonderful, intelligent, interesting people here who are open and progressive, interested in art, music, education and philosophy. If I could change anything about the South - it would be to get rid of the humidity! It plays havoc with my hair!