The Ruralism of the South

RURALISM?

Image from: ruralsociology.org

One of the stereotypes of the South which really bothers me is the world's perception of the "ruralism" of the American South. When I receive e-mails from my friends abroad or was meeting new people during college visits up North and West, everyone seemed to think that I lived in a podunk little town stuck up in the Mountains. I am very proud of living in a relatively "small" town (~250,000 poeple) which was tightly integrated with the beauty of nature in the Virginia Mountains, however, I feel the South sometimes gets a bad stereotype of being un-industrialized and almost "third world."

The South has probably been giving this stereotype due to its history. Up until the Civil War the south was a pretty much purely agricultural area which relied on cotton, tobacco, and a few other crops. Following the Civil, war this areas few industrial areas had been destroyed and were slow to recover under reconstruction policy. While this was occurring, the North and the rest of the world began to view the South as uncultured, poor, and almost as uncivilized farmers.

However, since the Civil War the South has developed and is as technologically advanced and modern as any other region in the world. Especially coming down to Atlanta, anybody looking at this city would consider it one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the country. Certainly looking at the major companies based in the city it is clear that it is also a business hub! Take a look at my map link to the heartsfield international airport and the surrounding area in Atlanta. The sheer size of this airport attests to the industrialization of the south.

While I am pleased that poeple recognize the history of the South and the unique blend of natural beauty and industrialized living which are both present, I wish that the stereotype that every southerner lived in a shack or on a plantation and milked the cows at five in the morning was not so wide spread. The South really is a unique and lovely place to love.

Parker

Not everyone in the South lives on a farm and gets up at 5 to milk the cows or spends the afternoons running tractors. There is also an industrialized, white-collar side to the South.



Image from:
http://database.ytel.net/dbphotos/2005-07-31008farm1.jpg