# Does the south have any redeeming qualities? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115 "2021-10-24T20:13:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/22 "2021-10-24T21:57:26Z")
The south_ **west** _ has some nice stuff. But as for the “south,” there are a lot of things to not like about it, IMO: Too many religious, racist, and bigoted people Too many vacationers in certain areas Most of the year is too hot & humid for me Bugs everywhere Nasty, greasy, fat-laden foods Landscape is boring No autumn or winter (I like winter!) I have to go to Robins AFB and Eglin AFB and every now and then on TDY. I hate it. Having said that, I visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama a few years ago. Was one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. So there’s that. The culture is also pro-gun, which I like. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/23 "2021-10-24T22:05:00Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Too many religious, racist, and bigoted people > Too many vacationers in certain areas > Most of the year is too hot & humid for me > Bugs everywhere > Nasty, greasy, fat-laden foods > Landscape is boring I would definitely say the same about large parts of the northeast. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/24 "2021-10-24T22:05:48Z")
For fuck’s sake, indeed. I live in Virginia, whose capital, Richmond, was once _the capital of the Confederacy_, and we haven’t voted for a Republican for president since 2004. Both of our U.S. Senators are Democrats. So is our governor. Our state legislature is majority Democratic. Stop painting the South with such a wide brush. You’re showing just as much hate as MAGA people are, just from the other side. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/25 "2021-10-24T22:15:13Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > You’re showing just as much hate as MAGA people are, just from the other side Not as much. MAGA types believe that Dr. Fauci is a lying killer, Hillary Clinton deserves to be locked up in prison, Mike Pence should be hanged, and Donald Trump is still the President. So not as much. And when I think of the south, I think of the gulf states including Texas. I know that’s not complete or correct. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/26 "2021-10-24T22:40:35Z")
If not for massive gerrymandering and _tremendous_ voter suppression tactics on behalf of the Texas Republican Party, Texas might have very well gone for Biden in 2020. You forget that it was in play. Democrats in Texas are an oppressed majority. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/27 "2021-10-24T22:50:08Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > And when I think of the south, I think of the gulf states including Texas. I know that’s not complete or correct Okay, I live in one of those Deep South states, Georgia. The state with two Democratic senators, one black and one Jewish. The state that came within 55,000 votes of electing the first black female governor in U.S. history. The home of Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Stacey Abrams, and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Also the home of Lin Wood, Syndey Powell, and the modern Ku Klux Klan. It’s not a monolith. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I have to go to Robins AFB and Eglin AFB and every now and then on TDY. I hate it. To be fair, military bases are not usually set in major cities or especially scenic topography. If your sole exposure to the landscape of the south is Warner-Robins, Ga, or the Florida Panhandle, I can certainly see why you’d think there’s nothing interesting about our geography. But we do have [some](https://www.atlantatrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cloudland-canyon.jpg) [dramatic](https://www.visitsmokies.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Nantahala-Lake.jpg) and [lovely](https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/c_fill,f_jpg,g_xy_center,h_662,q_65,w_552,x_377,y_55/v1/clients/outerbanks/subhero_1_2a_islands_f86b4b6a-e163-4f0c-8877-76a748bb2feb.jpg) [landscapes.](https://data:image/jpeg;base64,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) ---
**Author:** ![CastletonSnob1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/28 "2021-10-24T22:51:43Z")
Didn’t a politician in Texas say pretty much that exact thing? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/29 "2021-10-24T23:01:08Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > But this sort of root-and-branch denunciation of an entire region of people is just stupid, and only makes it harder for progressive southerners to try to fight for sanity and enlightenment here. Yes, but the fundamentalist anti-south bigots get free rein here on the SDMB. Any other group shown a collective condemnation gets mod attention, but anti-southern bigotry gets crickets. I’ve noticed it over and over and over here. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/30 "2021-10-24T23:08:45Z")
You’re right. @CastletonSnob1 , get thee to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/31 "2021-10-24T23:10:51Z")
I remember once, in a discussion of anti-Semitism, someone on this board posted, “A lot of southerners think they’re prejudiced against Jews, but it’s not true. It’s New York accents that they hate.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/32 "2021-10-24T23:11:00Z")
Thailand’s version of balut, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/33 "2021-10-24T23:14:21Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Okay, I live in one of those Deep South states, Georgia. The state with two Democratic senators, one black and one Jewish. The state that came within 55,000 votes of electing the first black female governor in U.S. history. The home of Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lewis, Stacey Abrams, and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. I left politics out of my replies about southern redeeming qualities, focusing on music. Much like your thought here, African Americans are at the core of redeeming southern qualities. I don’t know squat about southern authors, and the OP asked to keep away from food. (When Dr. King came to Chicago, he was not impressed!) ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/34 "2021-10-24T23:33:38Z")
The nice thing about the South is that it acts as a lightning rod allowing smug Northerners to point at how progressive they are regarding race relations while ignoring their own problems with segregation and police abuse. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/35 "2021-10-24T23:47:42Z")
I’m in with @ThelmaLou and other like thinkers. Yes, I’m just as guilty as anyone of using ‘the South’ as shorthand for ‘ignorant, racist, Bible-thumping, Republicans’ but even when I’m doing so, I understand that it’s not monolithic, and to describe any region by it’s worst is at best an extremely misleading overgeneralization. Trying to make things a simple good/evil liberal/conservative godly/ungodly dichotomy is part of how we got to this polarization. Let’s avoid it (unless we’re in the Pit and just making an old fashioned rant). ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/36 "2021-10-24T23:51:24Z")
Some wonderful archaeological and historic sites. Good food. Some cool wildlife. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/37 "2021-10-24T23:59:13Z")
I’m disappointed that the moderators have allowed this to be continued on this particular forum. Its better for the pit. It’s as offensive as asking “Does Africa have any redeeming qualities?” or “Does Israel have any redeeming qualities?” ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/38 "2021-10-25T00:00:29Z")
LIKE! (The new system wants a complete sentence, so here.) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/39 "2021-10-25T00:06:24Z")
This subject has been done to death on the Dope. While the handful of southern apologists that once hung out here has diminished to the point of extinction, the overweening sense of smug moral superiority that animates these threads will apparently never die, . The ghost of Sampiro compels thee to STFU. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/40 "2021-10-25T00:10:21Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > You might want to remember that 20% of the population of the South is African-American. I’m not saying that they’re all wonderful, but **none of them are white Republicans**. But some are black republicans like Clarence Thomas. IMHO they’re the worst kind. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115/41 "2021-10-25T00:10:57Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > How are their state colleges thought of by corporate recruiters? > Is an engineering or business degree from LSU, Ole Miss, or the University of Alabama the equivalent to the same degree from say the Big Ten schools? I’m not sure about the state schools, in those specific programs\*, but the [US News & World Report overall ranking of “national universities”](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities) has five schools in the South in their top 25: - Duke University (Durham, NC; #9) - Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN; #14) - Rice University (Houston, TX; #17) - Emory University (Atlanta, GA; #21) - University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA; #25) \*- US News does do rankings for specific programs, but one has to buy a subscription to see more than the top handful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-south-have-any-redeeming-qualities/953115.md?page=3)