Pet Peeve: Confederate Flag

[guywithashovel]

The problem here isn't the sauce, the problem here is that it's all overcooked, especially the pork. There is one stellar exception - Oklahoma Joe's BBQ. Best damn stuff on the planet.

If it's a Southern food or drink, it should be a given that people outside of the South aren't going to make it exactly the same. I'm sure people in Mexico scoff at most of the "Mexican" food that we eat up here.

I am a little curious on what you consider decent sweet tea, though, since I drink my tea unsweetened (except for hot tea). Do people here just not make it sweet enough? Usually, when I try "Southern Sweet Tea" of any kind, it's far too sweet for my taste. I feel like I'm drinking sugar water.

[AdminAssistant]

Very few places here offer sweet tea at all. If they do have sweet tea it's either barely sweetened or ridiculously over sweetened. So, I usually either make my own or drink unsweet.

[b2addm]

I didn't say this earlier because I was afraid it might offend people, but could some of the attitudes people have towards the South stem from from all the "Southern Pride" stuff. I'm talking about the intense loyalty to the South or "The Confederacy."

I am from the South and I love being Southern. I love it when people describe me as a "country girl" and I even smile when people who are not from the South laugh/make fun of my accent. But I try not to be overly irritating about my 'Southern pride' and I don't dislike people simply for being from other areas of the country (or world). I'm not still fighting the war.
I think you're right about some of the attitudes because I've met people who seem to think I should be ashamed of being Southern. When I refuse to feel it, they get offended and explain WHY I should feel ashamed. I still refuse. I just obstinately insist on having my own opinions and feeling how I feel instead of how someone thinks I should feel.

I don't, however, fly the Confederate flag. Sadly, almost everywhere I've seen it flown has been a reinforcement of the stereotype.

[guywithashovel]

A while back, a vlogger I watch on Youtube made a video talking about a trip he took to Ohio, my home state. He said that the people here were obsessed wtih corn. He described a conversation where someone was trying corn and saying (hick voice) "This is good, but you can tell this is first pick." I've lived in Ohio all my life, and I don't think I've ever had a conversation like that.

I guess corn is a pretty big product around here. I don't think you can drive through an Ohio countryside without passing at least one cornfield. I've never met anyone who is obsessed with corn, though, but maybe they're just hiding from me.

I've also never met anyone here who had a negative view of the South. When I used to visit family in North Carolina (they don't live there anymore), the reaction I usually got when tellling people about it was something like "Oh, it is soooooo beautiful down there! I especially love *insert name of town or area in the Carolinas)." Then again, most people here in Ohio are too wrapped up in the OSU vs Michigan rivalry to care about anyone being from the South.

[Mytical]

While I have lived in the 'North' all my life..I have a somewhat southern accent. Which has gotten me called 'hick' more then I would like..but that is beside the point.

I have a sort of reverse stereotype for the farmers of the south. I always picture them as good 'down home' people who have never met a stranger. Because when you meet them, even for the first time, they treat you like family. Maybe because my father was one of those farmers from down south. For all of his troubles, and for all of the psychological abuse he may have put me through, one thing is for sure..he is a 'salt of the earth' type person. People totally unrelated to him in any way call him Pa.

My mom was from Florida. A kinder, gentler soul I've never met. Though I am biased . So while I know better then to stereotype if I can help it, when I think of 'Southerners' I think of them.

I remember the big family meals, where even strangers were 'family' if they were eating with us. The gentleness but firmness that they raised us children with, and the strong morals they instilled. Which is why when my father became so paranoid and hurtful, I still couldn't (and can't) ever hate him. I know underneath is the man I once so admired and respected.

Sorry for the offtopic...

Anyhow..about the flag. If somebody from another country can fly their flags, I see no problem with it.

People....the majority of us come from people who are not native here, and could even be considered 'illegal aliens'. Since the native people certainly did not invite our ancestors. We need to worry less about where people are from, and remember that under it all..we are all the same. We are human beings, and regardless if we are purple with pink pokadots, or whatever..America was kinda founded on freedom from persecution. People need to get over themselves, the nationality bit..not care about color, sex, or sexuality..and treat people like they want to be treated. Ok I'll get off my soapbox.

[Ipecac Drano]

If somebody from another country can fly their flags, I see no problem with it.

Neither would I, as the other country would have sovreignty. The Confederate flag doesn't represent anything more than the Old South and its "way of doing things" [strong euphemism].

[protege]

Sadly, almost everywhere I've seen it flown has been a reinforcement of the stereotype.

Same here. Locally, the Confederate flag isn't seen much inside the city. Well, unless you're a mullet-sporting, racist, redneck asshole, that is. But, it flies in many places in rural SW PA. Seems that the flag is outside every trailer, on every 1978 Chevy pickup, and every Camaro up on blocks. And yes, the other stereotypes are true as well. Seriously guys, get with the times. There's a reason you get made fun of. The war's been over, the South isn't going to rise again. Deal with it.

[Ginger Tea]

Anyhow..about the flag. If somebody from another country can fly their flags, I see no problem with it.

Just a quick post as I'm off to work in a minute
when I used to live oop norf there was a guy who had a flagpole near a large roughland area we used to take our dogs, he normally had the jolly rodger flying as he was forbidden by the council to fly the St George as it might offend the local muslim communities.

For those not in the UK you mgiht be WTF?
but in the early 90's the NF and BNP (national front and British national party respectivly) always seemed to consist of skinhead burly white men with St George flags/tshirts etc and football hooligan mentalities and probably still are, so the flag of England was outlawed by many councils as it was seen as a racist symbol, a flag of national pride tarnished except for when England play in world events (unless its under Great Brittain) like football, rugby and cricket.

[HYHYBT]

Even with an explanation, outlawing your own current national flag (it is, isn't it?) deserves a big WTF.

[Ginger Tea]

well we have 2 per country
the Union Jack for Great Brittain made up of member nations and our section of the flag by itself, the Welsh flag is not represented in the Jack as iir it was not complete at the time and tbh it would look out of place when compared to the simplilcity of plain white with a red cross of England or plain blue and white cross of Scotland.

so yeah, unless its a sporting event (and England not Great Britain participating) or St Georges day (which is also marginalized to the point I don't know when it is without looking it up and very low key when its on) wearing a St George cross Tshirt or flying a flag automatically paints you as a football hooligan card carying member of the national front and or the bnp.

yet no one bats an eyelid for Welsh or Scottish flags flying even in England, because they and thier patron Saint's havn't been abused by xenophobes and yobs