Understanding Southern subculture

Let's face it: the South is charming and romantic, but how far behind are we as a whole? Let's start with this Initiative 26 business.

The founders of the Initiative, both from states outside of Mississippi, couldn't get the initiative to pass in other states, but one day, they had an "Aha!" moment. They thought of a place that would be most likely to pass the amendment, so they trucked on down to the most conservative place on earth: Mississippi.

When the founders arrived, they were certain the initiative would pass, for Mississippi is the queen of the Bible Belt, bursting with conservative Christians who would proudly support their initiative, but on Nov. 8,  these activists were proven wrong. The initiative did not pass, and women have gone about their personal business since then. Maybe the south isn't so "conservative" or "Christian" after all. Or is it?

The initiative not passing took America—and by America I mean CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, you name it—by storm.

According to the Associated Press, the initiative failing hasn't stopped these guys from making a comeback next year to try to pass the amendment. We'll have to patiently see how that unfolds.  For now, let's enjoy the freedoms of obtaining the birth control of our choice.

Initiative 26 is merely microscopic when viewing how southerners have alienated themselves from the rest of modern day America. Are we—and by we, I mean the South—really America?

Initiative 26 made Southerners look like a bunch of shining stars last week, right? Not so fast. A few days ago, six Phi Mu women from Southern Miss got into some deep trouble with Phi Mu National Council for dressing in blackface as members of the Huxtable family from The Cosby Show for a mixer. Even though nationals took care of it, that didn't stop the rest of the nation for absolutely eating the South alive with hatred.

The girls were innocently dressing up in throwback sweaters, Afro wigs, and brown face paint depicting characters from the show. After speaking to several adults—black and white—regarding the matter, they were humored by the fact that the girls decided to dress as something "throwback" and not revealing or overly sexualized.  

To put it simply, the South lacks knowledge about how sensitive racial issues are these days. Those girls had no ill intent towards anyone. Based on their personal backgrounds and races, they dressed up lightheartedly to have a good time at an off-campus party. It was purely ignorance on their part. Southerners need to be on the up and up and become worldlier so we don't run into these situations again.

The Southern subculture may bleed red, white and blue, but many Southerners have alienated themselves from what America really is. Sounds contradictory. Have we excluded ourselves from joining in with rest of this "salad bowl" in which we reside, so to speak? It's hard to pull the splinter from ones eye, in this case.

These facts are not to say the South isn't an incredible, beautiful place to raise a family and succeed in wealth and happiness. Many think it's difficult to get ahead in the South, mostly because so many Southerners are stuck in the "blue collar" way of life. That's also not to say our culture is overflowing with Constitutionalists, either.

Breaking it Down: When Hank the Third meets Jenny from the Block

Behind age-old traditions and stereotypes, in our culture lies the roots of America's foundation: music, hospitality and last, but certainly not least, food.

The next issue that separates the South from the rest of the country is its inability to keep up with the hustle and bustle of present day suburbia.

Let's take a look at my parents and their perspectives of the South. Brace yourselves.

Mom is a New Yorker and Dad is from the heart of Mendenhall, Mississippi. Let's see what Mom, Lisa, has to say first.

Picture a cute, short, Italian woman with a Long Island accent while reading the following.

"The South has a lot of good qualities when it comes to traditions and family values," Lisa said. "Southern women really are the best homemakers and moms, and they're very selfless and hardworking."

Lisa thinks many people from the South contradict themselves by claiming Christian values yet displaying closed mindedness by lacking understanding towards those who aren't particularly Southern.

"The South is filled with people who are a bit narrow-minded," Lisa said. "People usually don't trust those who aren't from here. It's a slow paced lifestyle, and society as a whole lacks diversity."

When my parents moved here seventeen years ago, Lisa was intrigued—or shocked and offended—with the rampant usage of racial slurs and how unhealthy Southerners are with their food choices.

Her viewpoints ring true in many ways, but Dad, Larry, sees things a bit differently. Picture a man in Wranglers covered in red clay from building houses. He, unlike Lisa, has a thick Southern drawl.

"I think the South is fine just the way it is," Larry said. "I like to hunt, fish, go to deer camp and spend time with my family. I love Jesus and humankind, and I don't see myself or what I believe in changing anytime soon."

Although the South is behind in many ways, there's such beauty and meaning behind what many view as waywardness and age-old traditions. It's easy to take one region of America and harp on the backwardness of the populace as a whole. Yes, the South has its faults, but so does every other place in the world.

It's up to the present day populace to break these awful stereotypes by peacefully moving Southern culture in all its beauty forward— hand in hand.