Hopeful 2011 SEC PNM from "The North"

[barbino]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

I think the Grits Line is more informative nowadays. If grits are offered as a matter of course when you order eggs at the local diner (not a shabby-chic gourmet diner, like the ones that serve grits in San Francisco), you're in the South. If they don't serve grits, or if they have them but you have to ask to substitute them for hash browns, you're not in the South. By this definition, Kentucky is clearly in the South, and parts of southern Illinois and Missouri are, too.

It's impossible to imagine an authentic diner in New Jersey where grits come with everything. That's true even in Cape May, which is geographically south of the Mason-Dixon.

I like this definition - grits are not usually served in Chicago, but I have had them in Springfield (IL). Indiana is another state which can be either Northern or Southern. Purdue is definitely Northern, but Jeffersonville and Evansville are almost part of Louisville, which for me is the start of the South. But most "Southerners" would never even consider any part of Kentucky to be the South. So is the real definition based on geography, culture, or grits?

[Alumiyum]

I'm from Alabama, so some of this "southern" stuff is suspect to me, but then again, you can't get more southern than us folk.

[atrianglepi]

"Purdue is definitely Northern, but Jeffersonville and Evansville are almost part of Louisville"

Barbino, Truer words were never spoken. I was born in Louisville, grew up in Jeffersonville(which is just across the river) and went to Purdue. My southern Indiana twang was not well received in W. Lafayette. I fit right in here in Georgia. My mother was from Lexington, KY and considered herself Southern.

[Low C Sharp]

Alumiyum, in 2008 I was on a trip to campaign for Obama in Michigan. One of my co-canvassers was a 6'4" black man from Huntsville who'd gone to UA on a full ride in the 80s. He told us about attending a welcome reception for his scholarship program shortly after arriving in Tuscaloosa. One of the alumni, a little old white lady, chatted with him warmly for a few minutes and then told him, "Well, you CAN'T be from Alabama." He said, "Yes ma'am, I'm from Huntsville," and she replied, "OHHHH...you're from the NAWTH."

BTW, look at those pics of UK bid day and tell me that's not the South!
________
Harmed by prilosec

[AnchorAlumna]

That's 'cause a LOT of Huntsville people are not from Alabama.

[SthrnZeta]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

This is a debate that will NEVER end.
I suggest you move this to the City Data forum.

This.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SthrnZeta

And I don't know anyone who would call DC southern.

Apparently, the Census Bureau does.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

In my opinion, there isn't A southern accent.

This is very true. There are many Southern accents.

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Northern:
Maryland and DC didn't secede
very liberal---this is A LOT of what in my mind makes us more northern.
. . .
not as religious---of the ones who are, most are Catholic, and Jews are a very prominent minority
. . .
lots of immigrants
diversity

I think there's some validity to this list speaking of Southerness culturally. But, in addition to what Dr. Phil said about transpants being true of many Southern cities, I have to note a few things that make even these observations a little blurry.

While Democratic doesn't necessarily equal liberal in the South, North Carolina has only elected 2 Republican governors since Reconstrution, and Democrats have controlled the state legislature consistently since Reconstruction, except for a two, two-year periods when Republicans have controlled or shared control of the House of Representatives.

Many Southern states have a long history of the presence of Jews as a prominent minority, and there are parts of the South with historically strong Catholic infuence.

I'm not disputing these differences exist, but because the South (like any other region) is not monolithic, almost any example can be followed by a "yes, but . . . ."

. . . and we don't automatically load our iced tea with sugar

Except this one. There is no "yes, but . . . ." This is just wrong.

Ah, this thread is fun.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Ah, this thread is fun.

It is.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by barbino

I had a pretty good laugh at this - and yes, I'm from Chicago.

Have you been there? Does it really exist? Oh noble explorer, what is this Southern Illinois you speak of?

I only say this crap to get Drolefille's panties all wadded up. Lord knows, growing up in Western NY we had to deal with the same mindset from NYC-dwellers - "What's Buffalo? Rochester? Isn't that where everyone goes to college?"

[AlphaFrog]

^ My Pastor's wife made some tea that wasn't "that sweet". OMG Cavities!! I could feel my teeth rotting.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Low C Sharp

Alumiyum, in 2008 I was on a trip to campaign for Obama in Michigan. One of my co-canvassers was a 6'4" black man from Huntsville who'd gone to UA on a full ride in the 80s. He told us about attending a welcome reception for his scholarship program shortly after arriving in Tuscaloosa. One of the alumni, a little old white lady, chatted with him warmly for a few minutes and then told him, "Well, you CAN'T be from Alabama." He said, "Yes ma'am, I'm from Huntsville," and she replied, "OHHHH...you're from the NAWTH."

BTW, look at those pics of UK bid day and tell me that's not the South!

Haha...but AnchorAlumna is right.

[turqwind]

My stars above! I have never understood why people disavow their Southernness so enthusiastically. I have ancestors who came to Virginia, some that met them here and some that came in chains (got the DNA to prove it) and not a Yankee in the bunch. It is ok to be Southern, y'all!

[Elephant Walk]

My favorite "definition" of the South is Dr. Reed's Dixie Map...Y'all are probably familiar with it but whatever...



The dots represent number of stores (of any type) that are named Dixie. Of course it does omit Arkansas to some degree and then make parts of Idaho and Utah to be southern, but whatever. Flaws.

I wonder what they did with "Dixie Cafe". I mean, that's a chain. Do they have those outside of the South?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

My favorite "definition" of the South is Dr. Reed's Dixie Map...

I am a big fan of John Shelton Reed.

I wonder what they did with "Dixie Cafe". I mean, that's a chain. Do they have those outside of the South?

I don't know about Dixie Cafes, but are there Dixie Cups everywhere?

[tinydancer]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I am a big fan of John Shelton Reed.

I don't know about Dixie Cafes, but are there Dixie Cups everywhere?

Save your Dixie Cups - the South shall rise again!