Thank God I was born in the South – the South, backwater when I made my debut in ‘42, and the South, where it’s in in 2010.
Let’s look at some of the things that southern folks seldom question about the South, the things that help make us love it:
* The Tams. I saw ‘em at the Georgia National Fair, in October. “Little Red,” one of the troupe, is kind’a like me, he’s become “Old Red,” but he can still dance! Actually, they are the “Atlanta Fabulous Tams.” That’s what they always say like “the late, great, Jackie Wilson.”
* Watermelons. At family reunions and barbeques. Always, ice cold. Sometimes, we get our first ones around July 4 from Cordele, “The Watermelon Capital of the World.”
* Family Reunions. Family is important down here.
* Barbeque. A “memory enhancing food.” Southerners talk about this pork delicacy, argue about it, swear over it, and eat lots of it! Ever hear Southerners debating where you can get the best salmon croquets or how meatloaf ought to be ‘fixed’?
* Lewis Grizzard. Even after all these years, he’s still ‘the man.’
* College Football. Let our Yankee friends debate the Packers and the Steelers. With us, it’s Alabama and the Bayou Bengals. And, how about them Dawgs?
* Fish Fries. Barbeque might edge fried fish out as the ‘Southern food’ but with grits and hush puppies, fried fish “ain’t bad.”
* Church. Yeah, we think it’s important. No, we know it’s important! When the big things (some good and some bad) in our lives happen, the church and the church folks are there.
* Shag Music. See the Tams above.
* Hunting. Yes, thank you, we still hunt and think it’s alright. In fact, we think it’s good, and we intend to keep on doing it. Thank you.
*Beautiful women. As they say in the great shag music song, Carolina Girls, Southern women are “the best in the world.”
*Politics. We take it seriously, and if you will notice, we are helping to run things. Which state is more in the mainstream of America, Georgia or New York?
*Cotton. It might not be the “King,” but it’s still mighty important to our part of the world.
* And what about the big “P’s”? Pines, peaches, peanuts and poultry?
* People. James Brown, Bear Bryant, Billy Graham, Otis Redding, Margaret Mitchell, Shelby Foote, Robert E. Lee, Hershel Walker, Bobby Bowden, William Faulkner, “Pistol” Pete Maravich, Richard Brevard Russell, Johnny Cash, Eli Whitney, Mother Maybell Carter, Bill Monroe, and Ray Charles.
* Boiled Peanuts. If you don’t like ‘em, fine, it’s more for us.
* Coca-Cola. Goes good with boiled peanuts and just about everything.
* Panama City. And, Daytona, Key West, Stone Mountain, the Fox Theater, The Flora Bama, The Grand Ole’ Opry, Saint Simons Island, The Kentucky Derby, “See Rock City,” and so much more.
* NASCAR. What a story!
* Kudzu. And, gnats, fire ants, heat rash, ground itch, etc. Well, no place is perfect.
* Air Conditioners. Thanks to God and Mr. Carrier.
* Race Relations. Are they better anywhere else in the world? Reminds me of that old Virginia Slims ad, “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
* Tobasco Sauce. And, Roddenberry pickles, Karo syrup, Frito-Lay chips (yes, they come from Perry), Sunbeam bread, Luzianne tea, Goo Goo Clusters, the Waffle House, Stuckey’s, Krystal, Nu-Way Wieners, Chick-fil-A, etc.
* Y’all. It’s a good word. Use it often. Also, yes sir, no ma’am, thank you and other words of civility and class.
* Sweet Tea. Demand it.
* Pogo. “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
* Grits. Order and eat ‘em, often.
* The Varsity. This gastro-institution deserves its own line!
This could go on and on, but this is enough we southerners don’t question, and it shows why we love the South. Amen, y’all!
Walker Hulbert Gray & Moore, LLP is a Perry, Georgia law firm. This established middle Georgia law firm now offers online legal services in addition to our traditional legal practice in Perry, Georgia. An attorney at Walker Hulbert Gray & Moore can be your online lawyer!
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