North vs. South - is there still a "conflict" there?

[NikitaZee]

If my Southern kids moved to Minnesota would they be harassed?

The South is not backwards, hillbilly country. The rural areas here aren't that different from the small Minnesota or Upper Peninsula towns (I grew up in the Midwest). You do realize that you are offending the Southern Dis'ers with your question, right? Try to be a bit more open minded.

To be fair, the OP's original post stated that her child's father lives in Louisiana and he was the one who told her she'd have a problem ...

 

[Crankyshank]

No matter where you move, you will encounter people that have preconceived notions and negative opinions about different areas in the country. You don't have to go so far as moving to the North or moving to the South to find it.

I moved from MA to the Tampa area for several years in the 90's and yes I did receive some grief about my Yankee accent. There are still people fighting the "War of Northern Aggression" (didn't hear that term until I moved to FL. Also had no real concept of anti-Catholic attitudes until I moved there either). While it was disconcerting to me, it was quickly realized that attitude was the mark of the individual and not the area.
True if you moved to a small town, you will probably get grief. But you know what? many small towners generally don't like outsiders and will find some reason to separate the newcomers from the established population: be it their accent, ethnicity, religion, or choice of vehicles.

 

[Heidict]

I'm telling you, no.

Maybe if you moved to an inbred town of, like, 1,000 people. But not anywhere else.

Someone might make a joke about a Yankee, but there would be no bullying based on that alone.

That is fine, you can tell me "no" all you want. I'm just telling what I experienced and heard.

As I said before, I don't believe the kid is going to get beat up, but kids can be mean and could very well use his "accent" and other things to pick on him. Not all the kids, some.

Will it happen if they move down there? Who knows. It would depend on a lot of things, especially where they would be moving to.

 

[mvazul]

Is it true that if our family, from northern MN, were to move to the south (could be anywhere from Arizona to North Carolina, or anywhere in between), we would be hated? Would my son have a hard time fitting in with your kids in school? Would we always just be “those Yankees”?

I’m asking this because my son’s dad (who lives in south Louisiana) said yesterday that if we do move down south, we’re asking for difficult times for our son, because they will not welcome him as a Yankee. he says he doesn't dare put anything related to the MN Vikings on his truck or the windows would be smashed. He also said the kids down there are meaner, and basically my son won't stand a chance in the south.

I have lived in south Louisiana for a few years too, and I never felt that way. My son was born in the south, and he was too young to be in school at that time, so I can’t use my few years there as a guide.

I’m wondering if he is just trying to keep us from moving away from Minnesota, as this is where his family is, and he comes home every year or so and visits with both DS and his family at the same time. He also knows that DS is not thrilled about the thought of moving, as he really likes it here.

So give it to me straight. Is it really that bad? I’m not looking for how you think it “should” be, but how it really is.

I can answer this with first-hand knowledge. Unfortunately. I have to agree that you will not be doing your son any favors. We lived in Mayodan, NC (about 45 minutes north of Greensboro). I loved the area. I loved the area and our land/house, but once the people realized we were staying, attitudes changed big time. My husband coached my son's little league team. The only people I was friends with - who wanted to be friends with me - were from New Jersey, Illinois, etc. Once the "native" (for lack of a better word) parents found out we were Catholic and I let my son read Harry Potter, all hell broke loose. I suddenly became a Damn Yankee.

I hear more times than I care to remember, "Damn Yankee! Go home!" I was also told I was going to hell for being Catholic. People from the local churches started showing up on our doorstep trying to "school" us in the right way to be a Christian. One group of people even had the nerve to stand right in front of my husband as he was on the lawn tractor, trying to mow our grass. They started spouting Bible verses at him and tried to debate the Bible. What they didn't know is my husband went to Catholic school from first through twelfth grade. He sent one lady in the group home, crying!! She couldn't keep up with him. "Christian" became a four letter word to us. Religion is sooooo much different there than in the North.

The kids at the school were horrible. My son came home with a black eye twice in the 6th grade. The report we got from the teacher was that he was walking in the hall to go to lunch. The kids that gave him the black eye jumped him and started calling him Damn Yankee. The teachers did nothing but give the kids a written warning and called their parents. These same kids rode the school bus with my son. They then told him they were going to kill him and our entire family. They went into detail about how they were going to do it and the layout of our property. (What we didn't know is we bought property that had belonged to a family for many, many years. The person we bought from couldn't pay the taxes and sold it. So, we lived right in the middle of this family.) The cops were called, restraining orders were issued. The school told us and our son we needed thicker skins and to get over it. It was miserable. We moved two months later to Chicago.

Another reason we moved was the fact the KKK was burning crosses in a front yard just half a mile from our house. I have many more stories, but I'll leave it at that.

We also lived in Roanoke, VA for awhile. Completely different experience. LOVED it there.

Good luck!

Michelle

Edited to add - In all fairness, I'm sure we were the exception. We were in a VERY rural area of NC. I have cousins from NY state that live in Cary, NC and love it there. And, again, I would move back to Roanoke, VA in a heartbeat.

 

[Angelhalo]

Not necessarily. I lived in Atlanta.

No issues here in the large city of Charlotte. it seems like half the people who live here are from somewhere up north. It's true we do refer to some people in our neighborhood as the Yankees, but its not in a mean way. just gentle ribbing. OP I don't think there would really be an issue at all. Most major cities these days (even in the south) are such melting pots of people from all over the US that people hardly even notice anymore whether you're actually from there or not.

 

[Angelhalo]

I'm sorry to hear that. I heckle my friends for different things, including the way they talk, but they rib me right back. No one gives it a 2nd thought, it's all in good fun.

I hate to hear that it was a serious thing for you. i don't know anyone like that.

Ditto, I've never heard more than gentle ribbing over accents and favorite footballs teams etc, and they do it right back to us. I've never seen any REAL animosity.

 

[budmonster]

I can tell you from experience that it's not easy on the kids. In 2004 my DH, ds, ds, dd and myself moved from Baltimore, MD to a very very rural part of North Central Florida. When we first moved here we were flat out told that we weren't wanted, and this was by the people we were paying to build our house. I have three children they were DS 11, DS 8, DS 6, and I would have to say it was the hardest on my 11 year old, he was/is in to 80s Metal music, like ozzy, metallica and wore those kind of t-shirts. The kids in middle school were very mean to him because he wasn't like them.The kids around here hunt, wear camo, listen to country music and mud bog. He slowly adjusted and met the few kids in school that were like him. But just be prepared if you do decide to move south that it is going to be a different way of life that will require an adjustment.

 

[ladycollector]

I highly doubt that. I've lived in Florida nearly my entire life and I've never seen that sort of discrimination... Seems ridiculous.

And try to tell the people where I'm from that it's not "the south." LOL. Stupidest thing I've ever heard. I'm from boggy bayou, where trucks, rednecks, and camo run rampant. Some of us even have a cute little southern accent.

 

[Angelhalo]

I highly doubt that. I've lived in Florida nearly my entire life and I've never seen that sort of discrimination... Seems ridiculous.

And try to tell the people where I'm from that it's not "the south." LOL. Stupidest thing I've ever heard. I'm from boggy bayou, where trucks, rednecks, and camo run rampant. Some of us even have a cute little southern accent.

Hey just noticed your avi, my husband went to UCF!

 

[Jenvenza]

I have lived in a smaller town in Texas, a large city - Houston, and in North Carolina - and I have NEVER seen or heard of people giving any northern folks a hard time. I really think that is just ridiculous that your son's dad would even say that. I wouldnt give it a second thought. Your son will be fine and the kids will probably love that he has a different accent!

 

[rie'smom]

Is it true that if our family, from northern MN, were to move to the south (could be anywhere from Arizona to North Carolina, or anywhere in between), we would be hated? Would my son have a hard time fitting in with your kids in school? Would we always just be “those Yankees”?

I’m asking this because my son’s dad (who lives in south Louisiana) said yesterday that if we do move down south, we’re asking for difficult times for our son, because they will not welcome him as a Yankee. he says he doesn't dare put anything related to the MN Vikings on his truck or the windows would be smashed. He also said the kids down there are meaner, and basically my son won't stand a chance in the south.

I have lived in south Louisiana for a few years too, and I never felt that way. My son was born in the south, and he was too young to be in school at that time, so I can’t use my few years there as a guide.

I’m wondering if he is just trying to keep us from moving away from Minnesota, as this is where his family is, and he comes home every year or so and visits with both DS and his family at the same time. He also knows that DS is not thrilled about the thought of moving, as he really likes it here.

So give it to me straight. Is it really that bad? I’m not looking for how you think it “should” be, but how it really is.

I live in south Louisiana and we love everyone except for the type in my next sentence. The only people who might give you problems are the idiots who have their mirror image in the north who give southerners a hard time. More than likely if you moved around this area, you'd start getting invitations to crawfish or seafood boils before you were here 1 week.

Thankfully, these types are few and far. I have to say that I have never heard anyone make a disparaging remark about someone moving here from another part of the country or from another country for that matter.

Yes, I think he's trying to get you stay in Minnesota. He is taking every stereotype of a dumb southern redneck and handing it to you. I can't tell you how happy I am that this maroon is your ex husband.

 

[diznygirl]

And you now know that Sweet Tea is the best kind of tea, right?

In moderation....

I gotta tell you, that first swig is something else!

 

[kydisneyfans]

Our son was raised in the north, and fits in better in the south. On the other hand, per this thread, I guess KY isn't the south.

 

[marthachick]

I haven't read all of the replies but this is my take on the situation. As long as you dont come to the South and tell everyone how much better everything is in the North, you should be fine. The only "Yankees" we don't welcome are the ones who move here and tell us how back-woods we are, etc. I mean seriously, if I moved to Minnesota and told y'all how much greater it was to live in NC, wouldn't you be offended?

 

[donaldduck352]

From A southener raised in north FL,I did see kids act that way when I was in school.Were I lived was A small hick town.But we are talking 25yrs ago.
My son is in 9th grade and I talked to him about this awhile back and he tells me nothing like this happens anymore.
Now in small towns if you go there acting like ya know it all,sure your gonna get hassled.They are pretty set in there ways in the south.But not as bad as it used to be I prommise..

 

[jjarman]

Is it true that if our family, from northern MN, were to move to the south (could be anywhere from Arizona to North Carolina, or anywhere in between), we would be hated? Would my son have a hard time fitting in with your kids in school? Would we always just be “those Yankees”?

I’m asking this because my son’s dad (who lives in south Louisiana) said yesterday that if we do move down south, we’re asking for difficult times for our son, because they will not welcome him as a Yankee. he says he doesn't dare put anything related to the MN Vikings on his truck or the windows would be smashed. He also said the kids down there are meaner, and basically my son won't stand a chance in the south.

I have lived in south Louisiana for a few years too, and I never felt that way. My son was born in the south, and he was too young to be in school at that time, so I can’t use my few years there as a guide.

I’m wondering if he is just trying to keep us from moving away from Minnesota, as this is where his family is, and he comes home every year or so and visits with both DS and his family at the same time. He also knows that DS is not thrilled about the thought of moving, as he really likes it here.

So give it to me straight. Is it really that bad? I’m not looking for how you think it “should” be, but how it really is.

If you move to Hattiesburg, Mississippi you can put Vikings stuff all over the place. Brett Favre lives here. I know several "Yankees" and they tell me they love it here. We might kid you over your accent or the weather but honestly we don't mind y'all coming down here.

 

[si-am]

That is fine, you can tell me "no" all you want. I'm just telling what I experienced and heard.

As I said before, I don't believe the kid is going to get beat up, but kids can be mean and could very well use his "accent" and other things to pick on him. Not all the kids, some.

Will it happen if they move down there? Who knows. It would depend on a lot of things, especially where they would be moving to.

Ah, but see, your original post said that you imagined the OPs son would get picked on "quite badly" in the South.

And I said no to THAT. Kids get picked on all the time. You don't need a Yankee accent for that.

 

[budmonster]

First of all, you need to redefine "South." Arizona and New Mexico have never been "the South." Texas to the east coast, Alabama to Tennesee and Virginia is "the South." "Deep South" would be Mississippi, south Georgia,
Alabama, and Louisiana. And maybe South Carolina. Florida is NOT "the South." Nor are Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia,Missouri, nor Kansas.

I know a bunch of good ol' boys that would highly disagree with you on your comment about Florida not being in the South. Don't tell them that they aren't in the south while they are riding around in their pickup truck with confederate flag and gun rack on the back window.

I'm telling you, no.

Maybe if you moved to an inbred town of, like, 1,000 people. But not anywhere else.

I highly doubt that. I've lived in Florida nearly my entire life and I've never seen that sort of discrimination... Seems ridiculous.

If this was directed at my post (which I assumed because it was posted below mine) how would you know what I experienced...Where you there?

 

[dennis99ss]

Is it true that if our family, from northern MN, were to move to the south (could be anywhere from Arizona to North Carolina, or anywhere in between), we would be hated? Would my son have a hard time fitting in with your kids in school? Would we always just be “those Yankees”?

I’m asking this because my son’s dad (who lives in south Louisiana) said yesterday that if we do move down south, we’re asking for difficult times for our son, because they will not welcome him as a Yankee. he says he doesn't dare put anything related to the MN Vikings on his truck or the windows would be smashed. He also said the kids down there are meaner, and basically my son won't stand a chance in the south.

I have lived in south Louisiana for a few years too, and I never felt that way. My son was born in the south, and he was too young to be in school at that time, so I can’t use my few years there as a guide.

I’m wondering if he is just trying to keep us from moving away from Minnesota, as this is where his family is, and he comes home every year or so and visits with both DS and his family at the same time. He also knows that DS is not thrilled about the thought of moving, as he really likes it here.

So give it to me straight. Is it really that bad? I’m not looking for how you think it “should” be, but how it really is.

First, southern Louisiana is not the south , it is, well, just southern louisiana. Kind of like its own little world where if you are not from Houma, or Morgan City, or even NOLA, you are outside. I don't think there would be a problem with being included, picked on, etc. though. Louisiana is a nice place, but I would not put it in the same place as "the South". Those who know Louisiana know what I mean. Those who don't won't understand anyway.

For The South, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, those folks who do not like it, or feel unwanted, basically bring it on themselves. When people from the north move to the south (and I assume vice versa) you have to "go with the flow". You have moved to a different culture. We do not do things like they do in MN, or anywhere else, and, if you insist on non-conforming to the southern ways, you will not like the south. If, on the other hand, you open up and embrace southern ideals, i.e. pickup trucks, fishing, hunting, individual rights, religion, etc. or at least don't start bashing those ideals, you will find southerners to be very open, accepting and friendly.

 

[dennis99ss]

oh, and, the brash east coast stuff, doesn't work down here.