November 12, 200322 yr http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=17721&pid=1079 Perpetuating Southern sterotypes Maggie Bowden Cavalier Daily Associate Editor MY PARENTS, my siblings and I were all born and raised below the Mason-Dixie. We have a tendency to say "y'all," never celebrate a holiday without fried chicken and according to my California roommate, cannot pronounce "nuclear." Obviously, we are a southern family. So accordingly, we are a bunch of slack-jawed yokels, who sit on the porch of our house all day spitting tobacco juice and watermelon seeds while shining our guns, sipping moonshine, listening to the banjoes and planning the next KKK meeting. And of course my sister and I don't date. She's got a shotgun wedding next week with Cousin LeRoy, and me and my brother are fixin' to get hitched once I graduate. Sound a little extreme? It probably wouldn't if you were a Democratic presidential nominee. In the past week, the candidates have made fools of themselves through arrogant, stereotypical comments regarding the Southern voting constituency and further proven why the South is, and will remain for a long while, a Republican stronghold. Recently, Democratic frontrunner Howard Dean stated to an Iowa reporter that he "still wantto be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks ("Dems battle over Confederate flag," CNN.com, Nov. 2). Inserting his foot even further into his mouth, Dean defended his comments last Tuesday at a Massachusetts Democratic debate by saying, "I make no apologies for reaching out to poor whites" ("Rivals demand a Dean apology," Washington Post, Nov. 6). Um, excuse me? Suddenly, according to Dean, all "poor whites" in the South are card-carrying Sons of the Confederacy cruising town in their pick ups, fighting the ever escalating battle of whether the Calvin sticker should be peeing on Chevy or Ford. That generalization of millions of people is beyond offensive. Yes, there are those in the South who still sport Confederate flags, and yes, there are Southerners who drive trucks, but in no way is that indicative of an entire population of people. If Mr. Dean really wants to reach out to the "poor whites," maybe he should become a little less ignorant about the state of the American South. The lower class of the South has the same concerns every other economically hindered American does. They worry about health care, how to fund their children's education, how to prepare for retirement. Even beyond that, an Atlanta native is just as worried about the war in Iraq and domestic safety as a New Yorker or a man from L.A. You want to appeal to the South, Dr. Dean? Tell the Southern families how to get out of debt, promise them you are going to fight for the values they believe in and hold dear, present a plan on defending the safety and liberties of this great country. But don't insult them. As Jake says in "Sweet Home Alabama," "Just 'cause I talk slow doesn't mean I am stupid." Even more nerve-wracking, Al Sharpton, that master of manipulation, compared the Confederate flag to a swastika during the debate. Later during an online debate, he went furthermore argued "that you cannot reach out to people waving a racist flag and say that you want to be their candidate. Imagine if I said that I wanted to be the candidate of people with helmets and swastikas" ("Conversations with the candidates: Al Sharpton," washingtonpost.com, Nov. 5) Helmets and swastikas? It's understandable that many, especially African-Americans, see the Confederate flag as racist and offensive. It's also true, though, that many Southerners see it as not a declaration of a racist war but rather as a matter of history of their state, and yes, even states rights. While the slavery and later years of oppression against American blacks is a horrible, tragic legacy, it is in no way comparable to the Nazi regime that mechanically executed millions upon millions. And to even suggest that by courting Southern voters, Dean was trying to represent the reincarnate of the Third Reich is beyond appalling. Sharpton, who so strongly prides himself as an advocate against stereotypes and racial prejudices, needs to begin practicing what he preaches. In no way is the South an ideal land of moonlight and magnolias. There are racial problems, and there are racial inequalities. But that is true across America; every racial group -- including the so-called good ole boys club of white rich males -- has faced hatred and discrimination based on the color of their skin. Racism is not a Southern quality. It may come as a surprise to both Sharpton and Dean to know that nobody in my family owns a pick up truck, my dad is not a member of the NRA and I do in fact have all my teeth, sans any noticeable gaps. Until the Democratic party begins to recognize these few truths, they will never have a hold in the American South. But with their current ideological viewpoints, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. (Maggie Bowden is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at mbowden@cavalierdaily.com.)
November 12, 200322 yr Interesting article.... again taken out of context of what Dean said, like usual. And Ms. Bowden obviously does not fit into the class of poor whites...poor whites do not write for newspapers first off.... And many poor whites do drive pickup trucks, from what I have observed. His comments may have been a generalization about a class group carrying the Confederate flag and driving pickup trucks.... But it does not represent the entire South... and it was not racist.... Where she starts going off in that tangent I have no clue.....she is reading too much into things... Not exactly surprising though.
November 12, 200322 yr What's with all the fussin' and fightin'? You hush up, Maggie Mae, and go right back to birthin' that baby.
November 12, 200322 yr what the hell is that supposed to mean. she's whining, that's what it's supposed to mean.
November 12, 200322 yr http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=17721&pid=1079 Perpetuating Southern sterotypes Maggie Bowden Cavalier Daily Associate Editor MY PARENTS, my siblings and I were all born and raised below the Mason-Dixie. We have a tendency to say "y'all," never celebrate a holiday without fried chicken and according to my California roommate, cannot pronounce "nuclear." Obviously, we are a southern family. So accordingly, we are a bunch of slack-jawed yokels, who sit on the porch of our house all day spitting tobacco juice and watermelon seeds while shining our guns, sipping moonshine, listening to the banjoes and planning the next KKK meeting. And of course my sister and I don't date. She's got a shotgun wedding next week with Cousin LeRoy, and me and my brother are fixin' to get hitched once I graduate. Sound a little extreme? It probably wouldn't if you were a Democratic presidential nominee. In the past week, the candidates have made fools of themselves through arrogant, stereotypical comments regarding the Southern voting constituency and further proven why the South is, and will remain for a long while, a Republican stronghold. Recently, Democratic frontrunner Howard Dean stated to an Iowa reporter that he "still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks ("Dems battle over Confederate flag," CNN.com, Nov. 2). Inserting his foot even further into his mouth, Dean defended his comments last Tuesday at a Massachusetts Democratic debate by saying, "I make no apologies for reaching out to poor whites" ("Rivals demand a Dean apology," Washington Post, Nov. 6). Um, excuse me? Suddenly, according to Dean, all "poor whites" in the South are card-carrying Sons of the Confederacy cruising town in their pick ups, fighting the ever escalating battle of whether the Calvin sticker should be peeing on Chevy or Ford. That generalization of millions of people is beyond offensive. Yes, there are those in the South who still sport Confederate flags, and yes, there are Southerners who drive trucks, but in no way is that indicative of an entire population of people. If Mr. Dean really wants to reach out to the "poor whites," maybe he should become a little less ignorant about the state of the American South. The lower class of the South has the same concerns every other economically hindered American does. They worry about health care, how to fund their children's education, how to prepare for retirement. Even beyond that, an Atlanta native is just as worried about the war in Iraq and domestic safety as a New Yorker or a man from L.A. You want to appeal to the South, Dr. Dean? Tell the Southern families how to get out of debt, promise them you are going to fight for the values they believe in and hold dear, present a plan on defending the safety and liberties of this great country. But don't insult them. As Jake says in "Sweet Home Alabama," "Just 'cause I talk slow doesn't mean I am stupid." Even more nerve-wracking, Al Sharpton, that master of manipulation, compared the Confederate flag to a swastika during the debate. Later during an online debate, he went furthermore argued "that you cannot reach out to people waving a racist flag and say that you want to be their candidate. Imagine if I said that I wanted to be the candidate of people with helmets and swastikas" ("Conversations with the candidates: Al Sharpton," washingtonpost.com, Nov. 5) Helmets and swastikas? It's understandable that many, especially African-Americans, see the Confederate flag as racist and offensive. It's also true, though, that many Southerners see it as not a declaration of a racist war but rather as a matter of history of their state, and yes, even states rights. While the slavery and later years of oppression against American blacks is a horrible, tragic legacy, it is in no way comparable to the Nazi regime that mechanically executed millions upon millions. And to even suggest that by courting Southern voters, Dean was trying to represent the reincarnate of the Third Reich is beyond appalling. Sharpton, who so strongly prides himself as an advocate against stereotypes and racial prejudices, needs to begin practicing what he preaches. In no way is the South an ideal land of moonlight and magnolias. There are racial problems, and there are racial inequalities. But that is true across America; every racial group -- including the so-called good ole boys club of white rich males -- has faced hatred and discrimination based on the color of their skin. Racism is not a Southern quality. It may come as a surprise to both Sharpton and Dean to know that nobody in my family owns a pick up truck, my dad is not a member of the NRA and I do in fact have all my teeth, sans any noticeable gaps. Until the Democratic party begins to recognize these few truths, they will never have a hold in the American South. But with their current ideological viewpoints, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. (Maggie Bowden is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at mbowden@cavalierdaily.com.) Saying "I want to represent the guys who have the confederate flag on their pickups" is racist but saying I don't wear Jersey's because I don't want to look like black kids, is perfectly fine? I live near "The Redneck" part of Northeast PA and yes almost all drive rusted pickups and most do have confederate flags or gun bumpersticker's that or they drive Ford or Chevy Cars from The 80's. Dean said what he said and for most of it stayed behind his comments. You can whine all you want about how talking about The Confederate Flag is promoting a sterotype about the south but your the guy who had one behind a gator in your sig a few days back.
November 13, 200322 yr It's amazing to watch Democrats work. You infight more than Joe Robbie's kids and get even less done right.
November 13, 200322 yr So what are Dean and Sharpton supposed to do? Hold hands and start singing? Yeah the Republicans all agree on everything.
November 13, 200322 yr Author how was what i siad about jerseys racist? And i never said that Dean was a RACIST. Bigot? Maybe. But race had no factor in his statement, when in fact, he is racist too. The fact is, this article simply puts into perspective what some people think about Dean in the South. I never said that I agreed whole-heartedly with the article. I simply put an article up here for people to discuss, and now I get peppered with comments. I do like the quote that says, "You want to appeal to the South, Dr. Dean? Tell the Southern families how to get out of debt, promise them you are going to fight for the values they believe in and hold dear, present a plan on defending the safety and liberties of this great country." Simply saying that you support the Confederate flag-waving pickup truck-drivers doesn't mean you are gonna start pulling votes from the South. In fact, his statements have hurt him. Pretty much he's gonna have to be conservative (i.e. NOT DEMOCRAT). The Southern states have continually voted conservative (whether it was when the Democrats were the conservative party, or the Republicans).
November 13, 200322 yr I think Sharpton wasn't the only one calling for a Dean apology, Kerry was too. Dean can't admit he was wrong according to Dems, republicans have kept pretty quiet.
November 13, 200322 yr Author and Gephardt made some cheesy comment like "Im going for the people with AMERICAN flags on their trucks....cute Dick....real cute
November 13, 200322 yr Ya Republicans have kept quiet on this issue.... I wonder why they would... Lets think about that one. Remember these guys are vying for the top office in the land...what do you expect them to do?
November 13, 200322 yr all i am saying das, is the dems are punching each other to defeat, not as if their ideas were enough, now they all look like bigots or sharpton clones.
November 13, 200322 yr all i am saying das, is the dems are punching each other to defeat, not as if their ideas were enough, now they all look like bigots or sharpton clones. Too bad for America does not share that stand point, the latest NBC/Wall Street Poll has Bush dropping 6 points to 51% and now most analysts are expecting it to drop again due to this past week's tragedy's in Iraq. Oh year were on The Verge of losing Italy as an allie and soon more will probably follow with them as countries are scared shitless of Iraq and we are stuck with a country full of thieves and Bandits. Let's applaud Bush.
November 13, 200322 yr yeah just like those damn conservatives and their anti- anything Democrat ideas.
November 13, 200322 yr the poll only had to do with Iraq-related issues Das. After all, Dean and all the other Dems combined can't beat Bush. Ideas are important and most of America is thinking like the Republican party. Why don't Democrats go out and support our troops instead of bad-mouthing them by saying they are fighting an evil war?
November 17, 200322 yr Geez, just because you're against the Iraqi occupation doesn't mean you are insulting Pvt. Mike from Tacoma or Sgt. Jed from Tuscaloosa. What a cop-out argument. I expect more from a 99-year old man.
November 17, 200322 yr And I thought the economy would be the most deciding factor of the 2004 election. Yeah Bush is going to cruise. That's why his numbers continue to slip. Yup, all people are solidly behind Bush.
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