The InterviewAs I started thinking about exploring southern culture in Atlanta, I realized a good place to start would be talking to someone who is knowledgeable about the city. This brought me to Jessica. Jessica was on of my sister's high school teachers who was born and raised in Atlanta before moving up to New England for college. I wanted to know what her take on southern culture in Atlanta was and how she thought the culture changed as she moved up North. I gave her a call a few hours before this year's Superbowl began, and after a few minutes of chatting with her, I began my phone interview...
Kate: Can you speak a little bit about what it was like growing up in Atlanta? How did being in Southern Culture take part in your childhood? Jessica: Of course! Yes, Atlanta was part of southern culture as I experienced it. I was not a stereotypical southern girl. I didn’t wear dresses and make up when I was in high school, I wasn’t a debutant/ gone with the wind girl etc. etc. There was a much greater emphasis on knowing the right thing to say or do it any situation. In the south, everyone is so friendly, but it was harder to tell if they the genuine or if their friendliness was just the norm. In the north people were not as friendly at the get-go but what you see is a little bit more of what you got. I laughed a little in agreement and continued... Kate: What would you say the stereotype of a southerner is, and how accurate is/ not accurate is it? Jessica: Stereotypically, people from the south religiously and socially conservative, into football, they don’t want the government to tell them what to do. State rights... Underlying approach... but the part that I think is most incorrect, is the stereotype that southerners are not smart. I think southerners are very good at being approachable, rather than trying to look like or be the smartest person in the room. They seem to be more subtle and quiet about their smarts. Also inaccurate, is that woman are weaker or less powerful. There are many really strong southern family running, funny, extremely smart woman who run the show. True of southerners now, is that there is a much greater sensitivity to race and race relations. This made me think for a few seconds, and brought me to my next question. Kate: Do you think there is any racial tension differences in Atlanta versus the Northeast? Jessica: When I first came to Boston, I felt that Boston was and still is much more segregated than Atlanta. I think Southerners are much more engaged and integrated into their society, though partly because of demographics and northerners are not that way as much. Southerns are much more aware of and knowledgeable about it. I explained how, I too, have noticed a big demographic change, moving to the south for college and how much more integrated it feels. I continued... Kate: Was religion a big part of the culture, being in the Bible Belt? Jessica: Yes, absolutely. Being part of a church in Atlanta was more of a culture. That was how you did service, got a social network. Churches were more a part of the community. It is hard to find a church in Boston. It is a bigger statement in Boston to go to church every week, which is too bad. My parents made a whole lot of friends through church. Those church friends created a social community. There were/are much more vocal and fundamentalist Christians in the church communities. There are. very different approaches to religious topics in north and south. The Bible is taken more literally in the south. "Just a few more questions" I stated as I put my feet up. Kate: Was football a big deal? Or Nascar? Jessica: Football more Than nascar. Football and nascar speak to the more true stereotype,where the women make the function happen, and the boys go off to the games, and that truth kinda bothered me. Nascar is becoming more popular now. I do not know enough to respond to this, so I just nod and move to my next question. Kate: Tell me about southern hospitality? Does it apply to the "true" stereotype? Jessica: Yes. If you move into a house, neighbors will stop by invite you over for sweet tea or bring you over a gift. Christmas cards and holiday gifts are a give in. It's all social etiquette, and social etiquette is a big deal. Southerners have bigger weddings and parties as a result because they don’t want to not invite somebody. So, the list is bigger. They are big into food and drinks. More hugging. More excited people. I interject, "tell me about food"! Is it really all about grits and peaches? Jessica: Grits, sweet tea, fried chicken, mac and cheese, anything with pork, all southern staples. More ways to prepare vegetables, fried green tomatoes. Much more butter on stuff, corn, peaches, pecans, because that is just what grows here. Ooooo and barbecue. I start picturing all this food and get hungry. I quickly distract my brain with another question. Kate: Tell me one change in culture you noticed, when moving up north? Jessica: In the south people would ask me my name, and I would say Jessica. They would refer to me as Jessica until they knew me well, and then they would call me Jess. When I moved to the north then the nickname came right away. I didn't like that. I always feel underdressed in Atlanta. In Boston, I feel like I can dress well, but I have to pack outfits when I go back to Atlanta. "All right. Last question. I promise" Kate: Where are the must go southern spots in and around Atlanta? How can I throw myself into southern culture? Jessica: Go to the Atlanta History Center, the Swan House, and the Civil Rights Museum. They have a lot of stuff about southern culture. Also for a fun website you should check out the bitter southerns website. After saying thank you and goodbye, I felt like I had a good place to go with my autoethnography. Literally. Next stop, Atlanta History Center. |
It's all social etiquette, and social etiquette is a big deal. Click on The picture below to explore "the Bitter Southerner" |
Photos used under Creative Commons from Georgia Peanut Commission, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, MzScarlett / A.K.A. Michelle, Gerry Dincher, piresdennis, jcsizmadi, JoeInSouthernCA, anokarina, Photographing Travis, regan76, star5112, jimbowen0306