An Address Against the Misconceptions About Southerners

As a people, we tend to be pretty laid back. Yes, there are some people who are very prejudice and like to start problems. But these people are in an ever-shrinking minority.

The unintelligence misconception is something that’s always bothered me, personally. I can’t count how many times someone who’s not from around here has said to me, “You’re pretty smart for a Dixie chick. I thought you people were supposed to be morons.”

Not only is that offensive, but it’s just inaccurate. Southerners can be just as educated as anyone else. Formal education rates may vary, but I can testify, at the very least, all southerners have the intelligence to express their thoughts accurately and gracefully. I’m not aware of anyone from the south that is significantly more stupid than someone from the north. It’s been my belief that people, in general, can be stupid, no matter where they’re from.

The dumbest and most illogical misconception would have to be the fact that we’re all cousin-kissers. In the south, most everyone – regardless of race or religion – follows a strong moral code. The moral code of southerners is something that binds them together, no matter what their origins. And whether that code stems from religious or personal standards, almost everyone is highly against incest. Incest is viewed as taboo here, just as it is everywhere else.  In fact, cousin marriages are illegal in Alabama – this is not the case in certain other states.

To those who say that southerners are stupid rednecks, I would like to point them in the direction of famous southerners such as George Lindsey, Coretta Scott King, Truman Capote, Nat King Cole, Hank Aaron, Tallulah Bankhead, W.C. Handy, Helen Keller, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, and countless other creative, inspirational, and intelligent individuals. When you look at them, do you see stupid, ignorant rednecks? No, you see legends.

The south is full of legends and legends in the making. So, to those who would besmirch our proud name with ignorance and hate-mongering, I would say: do your research.