Quote:
Originally posted by RowdyRed
...but their ambition doesn't have the same kind of edge to it.
...but there seems to be two classes of people in the south - well-to-do Southerners and all the broke folk without much in between.... You can also make a decent blue-collar living in the Northeast which I haven't really seen in the south!! ...while my friends in the South don't even seem to consider it as realistic....!!
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RowdyRed, I can understand what you're saying. However, this is NOT the case with MOST of the South. Just as there are wonderful opportunities in the North for African-Americans, there are the same for us in the South. Poverty in the North, to me, seems to be passed off as not being as BAD as the poverty in the South when in fact there are specific factors in EITHER area which may seem more prevelant than in the other. Now as far as the "ambition" thing goes... that's all in the eye of the beholder. AGGRESSION does not necessarily mean SUCCESS (in ANY area). I don't think that Northerners are more successful than Southerners. Success is determined in MANY different ways... not just by measuring one's material possessions and believe me when I tell you that MANY middle-class income families in the South, particulary BLACKS, have it going on. My question would be, if there are all of these negative connotations about the South, then WHY is there such a great migration BACK here? Why are many Northerners choosing to continue their education here (and STAYING once their education is completed)? Why are many Northerners RETIRING in the South? I mean, if it's THAT bad here or if the state of mind of Southern African-Americans is as "LAXED" as many Northerners may THINK it is, then why would ANYONE, particularly people from places such as New York, Deleware, Philidelphia, etc., WANT to come LIVE here after having such a wonderful taste of the "Northern" lifestyle.
I consider myself to be EXTREMELY blessed and successful... and my blessings and success was ALL done and continue to be here... in the South. For a long time, the North has been "beefed up" and made to be this "haven" when in fact, we all KNOW that's not the case in many areas. There are some things that I like about the North and some things that I like about the South. But, by no means, would I put down one area just to glorify the other. I said that because in many instances, African-Americans would be offended by negative feedback about the South or made to feel ASHAMED of being from the South. I'm proud that I'm a Southerner. I don't think that I would have it any other way. Plain and simple, it's just different strokes for different folks.
This is just my personal opinion. I have family members who live in the North and they are wonderful people. I respect your opinion, RowdyRed (and anyone else's).
Much love to you and ALL Northerners.
