Killing Willy  |   Home  |   Estate Sale

Decline of Southernism

The Houston Chronicle had this good article on a general decline in the number of people who identify themselves as Southern.

I’m been giving this some thought, and I think the mobility of our society has a lot to do with this.  When I look at my grandparents’ generation, they rarely ventured more than 30 miles from home.  Growing up in the backwoods of East Texas, this meant that the community where they were from did many things as a community.  Be it a fair, bazaar, or just a market in the local square, the traditional Southern get-togethers were a highlight of their lives.

However, as my parents’ generation came along, they began venturing further from home.  As a result, there was less identification with the small rural community, and less incentive to participate in folksy community events.  

And with my generation, the trend has continued.  I can remember attending festivals in the local square, and sharing in that atmosphere of pride and celebration of our heritage.  As my grandparents’ generation has passed, however, many of those traditions, and many of those customary local events, have gone by the wayside.  Folks are simply not interested in getting together on a Saturday nice for some old-fashioned fun, when they can drive 30 miles to the nearest movie theater or club for some more modern entertainment.

Posted by Jed at 2048 hrs
Politics + Politics - General

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.