Guilty of Being Southern

National Review Online ^ | July 2 | Lee Habeeb

[Hojczyk]

Let’s start with Paula Deen, who admitted to having used the “n” word — 30 years ago. If it had been, let’s say, Alec Baldwin instead, the media would have quickly given him a pass, because, after all, he’s one of them. Alec is a media guy. He’s smart and talented and thinks what they think about life. He’s also a northerner. He was born on Long Island! And my God, there’s no racism there.

Racism is a disease people catch when they cross the Mason-Dixon line.

Paula is from Georgia, and from that one slip, which she admitted and for which she apologized, was imputed all kinds of guilt. She was guilty of being born Southern, plain and simple. And the punishment she’s facing is so disproportionate to her three-decade-old lapse that it cries for someone in the media to defend her. No one has. No one will.

The Food Network will soon learn that their knee-jerk decision to fire her without any proof of discrimination, any proof of a racist past or present, will backfire. And fans who know she was fired, and canned by sponsors, for being born in the South, and for being proud of it — they’ll be waiting for her return, and will reward the network that hires her.

And it wasn’t just white folks heading South. The nation’s African-American population grew 1.7 million over the past decade — and 75 percent of that growth occurred in the South. The percentage of the nation’s African-American population living in the South hit its highest point in half a century, as more black people moved out of declining cities in the Midwest and Northeast.

If the South is such a racially backward place, Justice Breyer, why are so many African Americans moving here?

[Gay State Conservative]

It ain’t just libs who demonize Dixie...Plenty here

That doesn't seem logical.I'm a lifelong New Englander and a long time conservative who fully understands that the roots of political and social conservatism are found in the South and the Midwest...not California,or New York,or Vermont.As I suggested earlier I have far more in common with the typical person from Georgia (or Missouri) than with 99% of the people of Massachusetts.

[jersey117]

She said Michelle ate more food backstage than any other guest.

[Alas Babylon!]

Huh? Here in Alabama, the black KFC (and Church’s and Popeye’s) workers ask YOU if you want white or dark.

[Black Agnes]

Ok, that’s an evil suggestion. I might have to ask Santa Claus for one of those for Christmas. My Cajun kin already have those.

[Veto!]

Gotcha re picking up flavors. But I don’t agree that tofu really does that. IMHO, the best you can do is surround it with flavors.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, stores carry Bob’s Red Mill Corn Grits Polenta, which I cook in the oven, one cup of polenta in a baking dish covered with 3-1/2 cups water, DO NOT STIR. Do not even wiggle. Takes about 35 minutes at 350. Transfer to pie plate, then cut pieces and fry (or not) as needed. I cover with veggies sautéed in evoo. Best way I know to get the bf to eat veggies:)

Cane syrup? Impossible to find. Don’t much care for it, my Southern roots do not go that deep. I use pure maple from Vermont.

[wardaddy]

I have noticed for years you are sympathetic to the South

My homepage lists some of those I’ve noticed the past 13 years feel different here

[Nifster]

I find NASCAR more interesting than golf

[wardaddy]

I like maple too

Sorghum is not my favorite

But sugar cane syrup I like a lot....more refined than molasses

[Nifster]

Not all of them are....I know as many fatties in California as I have seen here in Georgia.....

[Black Agnes]

One of my great uncles had a cane mill. Complete with mules. The big cast iron pot they used is in my dad’s barn right now.

One of our homeschool projects for next year (time got away from us this year) is growing cane and taking it to a mill for syrup.

[Venturer]

I went to Myrtle Beach Bike week.

They had brought in cops from all over the state.

I was talking to one assigned to the Mountains out near Dollywood.

He told me he had seen more blacks in one station wagon in Myrtle than he had seen in his entire career in the mountains.

[wardaddy]

I believe that

We used to have a second home in Ashe county NC

same thing

[dixiechick2000]

Wardaddy, from my life experience, I could have written the same post.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3038444/posts?page=77

BTTT