[thedelihaus]

To all concerned,

For some reason this thread really struck a cord with me. It kept me thinking late into the night about how the South is (sometimes) portrayed for cheap laughs and the like. I'm a Boston Mass resident, but have spent time travelling and have stayed in 33 states. I never personally felt or viewed the Southern states as full of yokels or dummies, and never noticed this big dramatic "change" in intellegence or integrity when crossing borders. Sure, there were on occasion bonafide almost comical living caractures of the perceived southerner, but come to Boston and I'll match this- I'll bring you to Southie to see some stereotypical Southie Irish (I have enough Irish blood in me to take offence but I don't) or to the North End to see some decendants of italian blood that are just as easily caracaturized.

From my personal experience, many of the "southie" and "north enders" exhibit no dramatic decrease in intellegence as thought nor are they any different integrity-wise than folk from other parts of Mass- many are clever, resourceful and successfull business owners, raising wonderful children, just carrying a bit of an accent picked up from their folk or exhibiting some personality traits nurtured from birth and ingrained in heritage. Same with Southerners. I didn't go down there as a superior northerner carpetbagger and use smoke and mirrors and cleverly fleece 'em of all they have, or whip them at poker or a brisk game of Scatagories or Trivial Persuit without ever breaking a sweat. Most experiences with general conversations or socializing in the south, whether Texas (which I love dearly) or Tennesse (which I'm incredibly fond of) or other states, were not significantly different than when I spent time in New York (Manhattan) or Boston, or California. It might just take place around grabbing dinner at a steakhouse or Burrito joint instead of a sushi bar, and ending up at a music show at a roadhouse or Grand Ol' Opry instead of a nightclub and The Appollo. So what?

Here in Boston I do see some comics at the comedy clubs cruelly make fun of southerners, and some folk around the water cooler goofing on the "rednecks" in an unkind way. I say shame on them. It doesn't take too much to see who the ignorant folk really are. Here in Boston, there is actually a music fest called the "Redneck Fest" where, in all honesty boys, the southern states are honored, with a big, usually 3 day southern-style BBQ and great hard hitting rock and roll (with touches of country and blues inbedded). It's where meat and potatos, big open spaces, and the blue collar working man are honored, with pride, and not with irony.

Whitehall, although I personally didn't take offense to "Oh Brother...", I commend you for your concern and sensitivity to this issue. It just goes to show the quality of your mettle. And I can see where you could get upset by the film.

fotno, you make some interesting, and I'd say accurate observations. It was good to read your post.

And Sandy, if I ever get back to travelling, I'd like to stop by your house and have a sodapop or a beer with you. Tennessee is one of my favorite states- in my humble opinion, the kindest, nicest people in all of the states (although there's 17 more states I still need to visit). The Smokey Mountains, Dollywood, Memphis, and Nashville, always a great experience. Well, there was one weird experience in Memphis, but i digress....