In Search of the "Real" South

The South is changing. Don't get me wrong; we are still quirky, stubborn, independent-all the things that have gotten us into trouble over the years. We talk differently, act differently, and think differently from those who inhabit the rest of the nation. And we're proud of it. But we have an identity crisis.

Trying to get a handle on the identity of the South is a little like the six blind men who tried to describe an elephant after each running his hands over one part. The one who felt the ropy tail came away with a very different concept from the one who stroked the elephant's broad side.

Which is the "real" South, the one portrayed on President Clinton's Poverty Tour, or the one that put the first rocket into space? Is the essence of Southernness found in the pioneering computer technician, or the toothless man in overalls with a drip of tobacco running down his chin? Consider this: the grinning tobacco-chewer just might also be a pioneering computer technician.

This site is designed to present the Southeastern U.S. to visitors who may be outside our boundaries. So far, I've focused on tourist destinations, and I'll continue to do that to a degree. I also plan, however, to add some local color, in the form of anecdotes, information, and overheard conversations between Southerners.

Staying on I-65 will you a glimpse of what makes Southerners unique, but getting off and driving down Highway 31 will give you much more. How about staying in a Bed and Breakfast owned by natives of the area? Going into an old country store for that soft drink instead of a new, modern, look-alike quick stop? You'll come away with a much greater appreciation for the inhabitants of this region that fought so hard for its independence and sometimes still carries a sense of being held in the grip of a conquering foreign army.

As we continue our journey through the Southeast, you might want to study a language guide to help you understand the dialect spoken here. It is similar to the language spoken outside the region, but has subtle differences that may make conversation difficult. Also--pay closer attention to some of those "Redneck" jokes. Most stereotypes, after all, have their beginnings in reality.

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