What Is Southern Culture

Know Southern History : Culture

Southern CultureIt is surprising how much of what passes for “American”culture is actuallySouthernculture.In this section, wehope to introduce, or rather re-introduce, Southerners to the roots oftheir culture.As much as any other people, Southerners have a verywell developed culture consisting of food, music, art, literature, danceand even manners and mores that differ from the rest of America. You may be surprised to discover just how much of what is truly Southernculture has been adopted by the rest of America and been taken for grantedas “American” culture.You are invited to explore thematerial here, as well as the many links provided.If you know ofanything else that you might think should be included here, we encourageyou toand let us know what it is.We are always willing to consider theinput of others.
Southern FoodSouthernMusic Southern Literature Southern Dance Southern Art Southern Manners The “Southern Language” SouthernCulture Link A site providing information on genealogy, literature, a varietyof Southern music styles, and monthly recommended links to interestingsites on the SouthSouthernCulture The History of the South, McDowell Technical Community CollegeSouthernCulture, an on-line text This is an excellent site providing a look at aspects of the South,including social classes, race, religion, politics, symbolism andstereotypes, and how all this has helped to shape the unique Southernculture.Provided by Vance-Granville Community College, andis an excellent source for school papers and home schooling.Southern FestivalsLists festivals and events in the South.Features are informativearticles on festivals, fairs, vendors and entertainers for the traveltourism industry.Back to Top

Southern Culture and Traditions We Love

When learning a foreign language, it might be beneficial to have a good understanding of the culture. If you want to learn foreign languages, you must first become acquainted with the cultures of the countries in which you wish to study. If you want to communicate effectively across cultures, you must be sensitive to cultural variations. Consider the following scenario: you wish to enhance your language abilities in a second language. If you handle both the culture and the language at the same time, it will be more effective.

1. Southern Hospitality

When learning a foreign language, it might be beneficial to have an understanding of the culture. If you want to learn foreign languages, you must first learn about the cultures of the countries in which you wish to study. To communicate successfully, you must be sensitive to cultural variations. Consider the scenario in which you desire to improve your language abilities in a second language. Then it would be beneficial if you tackled both the culture and the language at the same time.

2. Sweet Tea Sippin’

It’s possible that the heat was the starting point. The majority of us in the South are struggling with humid days and nights that don’t seem to be getting much cooler. Sure, this is usually during the summer, but we really need some sort of respite from the heat! This is where sweet tea comes in. Delicious, refreshing, and SWEET. It goes well with just about everything, including fried chicken, grits, biscuits, pie, burgers, and just about everything else. And we make it available everywhere.

  1. Let’s get some sweet tea and sit on the veranda for a while.
  2. Bring a pitcher of iced tea to share!
  3. Where has all the sweet tea gone?
  4. All of the sweetness without any of the calories!
  5. Would you want some cold brew sweet tea?
  6. Take a look at our blog post on how to make cold-brew sweet tea here!

3. Supper

Possibly, the heat was to blame for the problem. The majority of us in the South are dealing with humid days and nights that don’t seem to be getting much cooler any time soon. Obviously, this is more prevalent during the warmer months, but we really need some sort of relief! This is where sweet tea comes into play. Delicious, refreshing, and SUGAR-COATED Almost anything goes well with this sauce, including fried chicken, grits, biscuits, pie, burgers, and anything else you can think of! And we serve it in every location we can find!

  1. Come on out to the porch and enjoy a cup of hot sweet tea.
  2. Bring a pitcher of iced tea to share with your friends!
  3. The delicious tea has gone missing.
  4. All of the sweetness without any of the calories!

Looking for a refreshing cup of cold-brew sweet tea? You can do this with your eyes closed. Check read our blog post on how to make cold-brew sweet teahere for more information.

4. Southern Charm and Manners

It’s possible that the heat was the catalyst. The majority of us in the South are dealing with extremely humid days and nights that don’t cool down much at all. Sure, this is usually during the summer, but we really need some sort of respite from the heat. Here comes the sweet tea. Delicious, refreshing, and SUGARY. It goes well with almost everything – fried chicken, grits, biscuits, pie, burgers, you name it. And we serve it at every location. Are you coming over for a chat? Let’s have some sweet tea on the porch, shall we?

  • Bring a pitcher of iced tea with you!
  • What happened to the sweet tea?
  • All of the deliciousness, none of the calories!
  • Looking for some cold-brewed sweet tea?
  • Take a look at our blog post on how to make cold-brewed sweet tea here!

Encyclopedia of Southern Culture

The American Library Association awarded the Dartmouth Medal in 1990. Mississippi Authors Award for Non-Fiction, presented by the Mississippi Library Association in 1992. The Society for the Study of Southern Literature presented the C. Hugh Holman Award in 1990. The Library Journal named it one of the best reference books of 1990. The American Library Association’s Booklist named ALABooklist an Outstanding Reference Source in 1990. The American South is a physical location, a historical truth, a place in the imagination, and the ancestral home of a diverse group of people who identify as southerners in the United States of America.

As noted by U.S.

There are a lot of Souths and a lot of southerners.

As they tell their stories, the contributors to theEncyclopedia of Southern Culture cover a wide range of topics, from grand historical themes to the whimsical; from the arts and high culture (including writers such as William Faulkner and Leontyne Price) to folk culture (including quilts, banjos, and grits) to popular culture (including Gilley’s andGone With the Wind).

The focus of this volume is on the eleven states that were once part of the Confederacy; nevertheless, it also includes southern outposts in midwestern and middle-Atlantic border states, as well as southern enclaves in Chicago, Detroit, and Bakersfield, among other places.

The editors hope that this reference book will help readers gain a better understanding of the cultural patterns of the South.

Throughout, the overarching purpose is to discover the causes that have maintained either the reality or the illusion of the southern way of life – people, places, ideas, institutions, events, symbols, rituals, and values – and to understand how these forces have influenced one another.

Historical scholars, literary critics, sociologists, anthropologists, geographers, linguists, theologians, folklorists, architectural and environmental professionals, university presidents as well as newspaper and magazine writers and novelists have all contributed to this collection of writings.

About the Authors

At the University of Mississippi’s Department of History and Southern Studies is Charles Reagan Wilson, a Texan who was born and raised there. He is the author of Baptized in Blood: The Religion of the Lost Cause, 1865-1920, as well as the editor of Religion in the Southern United States, among other works. More information on Charles Reagan Wilson may be found on his Author Profile page. William R. Ferris is the Joel R. Williamson Eminent Professor of History at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, as well as the Senior Associate Director of the Center for the Study of the American South and Adjunct Professor of Folklore at the same institution.

He formerly served as the chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Please see the Author Page for further information about William Ferris.

Reviews

“A discerning guide to Dixology,” says the author. – The Esquire In “TheEncyclopedia,” knowledge about a location shrouded in mythology glistens. – Smithsonian Institution In spite of and maybe as a result of the significant and often heartbreaking changes of the previous three decades, this book is a loud statement that the South does indeed exist, both in reality and myth, and that it is an important piece of work.” the Washington Post’s Hodding Carter “There are riches inside the book that make it a favorite for readers both above and below the Mason-Dixon line,” says the author.

– Newsweek magazine “This is the most comprehensive study of the South that could possibly be desired for.” – Economist (informal jargon) “An exhausting piece of effort.

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These are the 6 Qualities that Really Define Southern Hospitality

Because southern hospitality is more than a cliché; it is a way of life for those who live south of the Mason Dixon line. Living in a little town in southern Georgia—one that is so small and bucolic that locating it on a map is a difficult task—I was educated to think that hospitality is a need rather than a choice. In my family, it’s more of an institution, where we follow Southern rituals and customs that go beyond swinging on the front porch, sipping sweet tea, and gathering on Sundays for a sit-down potluck supper together.

As a matter of fact, a recent survey by Twiddy narrowed it down to six distinct characteristics, with politeness and down-home cooking topping the list.

The survey also revealed which Southern states are the most (and least) welcoming. Here, we’ll look at the six key features of Southern hospitality that have remained as steady as our notoriously hot summers throughout the years.

1. Politeness

Despite what society may think, there is still a place for good manners in the southern United States. ” yes, ma’am,” ” no, sir,” ” please,” and ” thank you” are the first few magic words that most youngsters learn before they are taught how to spell or how to count. The notion is that if we are taught how to be courteous from a young age, we will be able to take that skill with us throughout the remainder of our life as adults. And, because we enjoy companionship and, frankly, conversing, we never hurry talks with family, friends, and other invited visitors.

2. Good Home Cooking

In the South, having a good time and eating wonderful cuisine go hand in hand. Whether it’s a warm peach cobbler or a famous Hummingbird Cake, every Southern woman knows how to make them. When it comes to cooking, we don’t hold back when it comes to embracing tradition and using time-tested recipes that have been passed down through generations. As a rule of thumb in the South, we believe that a single dish is never enough since you never know when unexpected visitors or relatives may arrive for supper.

3. Kindness

In the South, we treat our guests as if they were members of our family. There is an old proverb that says, “There are no strangers, only friends we haven’t met yet.” This is true. And we offer this generosity to everyone, forging lifetime ties and opening our homes and hearts to everyone who come into contact with us. Often, the most potent act of compassion in the South is a simple handshake, where a solid, firm grasp is still valued highly in the South today.

4. Helpfulness

While visiting a Southern house, you won’t have to worry about preparing your own meal or doing the dishes for your host family. We take great delight in preparing a home-cooked dinner, feeding guests, and cleaning up after ourselves when we are no longer entertaining. In our community, we are always eager to provide a helping hand to our neighbors, and if you get lost on a back road, we are always happy to provide instructions. It’s possible, if you don’t mind listening to a few stories or settle for a navigation system based on landmarks in the town.

5. Charm

That which some people find endearing is simply the natural Southern manner of being kind, funny, and attentive to everyone we come into contact with, whether it is at the post office, the grocery store, or the church. Making people feel welcome and comfortable while being graceful under pressure are additional characteristics of the Southern charm.

Yes, in the South, we take our good manners extremely seriously, and we despise having to say goodbye to visitors who come to visit. After a while, though, we’re prepared to wave them off like a kind host should, with the proverbial promise of “Y’all come back now, you hear?”

6. Charity

Southerners follow the golden rule, which is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, without expecting anything in return. In the South, we don’t do things out of duty; rather, we do them out of civility, respect, and simple habit in the hopes that you’ll come again and again. Perhaps you’d be interested in the following:Regardless of how you define Southern hospitality, there’s one thing we can all agree on: There’s no place like home in the South.

Culture in the Old South

Religion has a significant influence on southern culture. Prior to the American Revolution, the Anglican Church was the established church across the southern colonies of the United States of America. Beginning in the 1740s, the emergence of Protestant evangelicalism offered a nascent alternative to the established Anglican church. As far as evangelicals were concerned, the conversion experience was seen as a generally achievable means of attaining spiritual salvation. It used highly emotional lectures and rituals to aid this conversion experience among believers, many of which took place at huge, interdenominational, outdoor camp gatherings.

  1. The Anglican Church, today known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, suffered as a result of the United States of America’s rejection of any religious establishment in the country.
  2. Influential Jewish and Catholic minority also arose in certain of the South’s metropolitan centres, particularly in New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston, among other places.
  3. Jewish settlers began coming in South Carolina as early as the late seventeenth century, fleeing persecution under the Spanish Inquisition and seeking refuge in the state’s mountains.
  4. Reform Judaism was born in Charleston and formalized in Ohio under the leadership of Isaac Mayer Wise, where it has grown to become the biggest Jewish denomination in the United States of America.
  5. Competition between Catholic Spain and subsequently Catholic France hampered the spread of Catholicism in British North America throughout the 18th century.
  6. However, Catholicism in the South was a significant minority in the region, and in some areas, like New Orleans, Catholicism was the dominant force in many southerners’ social lives.
  7. This powerful phase of religious revivals swept over the southern backcountry, led by Methodists, Baptists, and, to a lesser extent, Presbyterians, and lasted for several years.

Both religions in the South eventually rose to become some of the most outspoken champions of the institution of slavery.

Missionary activities among former slaves in the southern United States strengthened Protestantism among African Americans, resulting in the development of biracial congregations and the establishment of important autonomous black churches.

Relationships between missionaries and Native Americans changed as a result of the institution of slavery hardening racism in the American South throughout the nineteenth century.

Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, plantation culture spread throughout the Deep South, and mission activity became a critical component of Christian development in the United States and beyond.

Some missionaries learnt indigenous languages, but many more attempted to prevent indigenous children from using their own languages, arguing that English was the only language that would allow them to comprehend Christianity.

This theology was reinforced by the Indian removals of 1835 and the Trail of Tears in 1838.

Anti-literacy regulations guaranteed that the vast majority of slaves were unable to read the Bible in its entirety and, as a result, were unable to get acquainted with such inspiring stories as Moses rescuing the Israelites from slavery.

As former slave William Wells Brown put it, “slaveholders conceal themselves behind the Church,” adding that “no more praying, preaching, and psalm-singing people can be found than the slaveholders of the Southern United States of America.” Many slaves preferred to develop and practice their own forms of Christianity, which often contained components of indigenous African faiths and had little or no assistance from the white people in the process.

  1. Among others who have drawn inspiration from religion are Nat Turner and other artists of the 20th century.
  2. As a result of his claims to have had visions in which he was commanded to carry out God’s will, several of his contemporaries (as well as historians) began to doubt his mental stability.
  3. These separate Christian groups were one of the most important sources of slave resistance throughout the American Civil War.
  4. When anti-slavery and abolitionist critiques began to emerge from northern pulpits in the 1820s and 1830s, socially prominent Protestant Evangelicals took up ardent pro-slavery views, using religious faith as a justification for their beliefs.
  5. Other aspects of southern culture, such as a fixation with manly honor, were bolstered by evangelical religious beliefs as well.
  6. It also prompted males to think about their own behavior and reputation in a private setting.
  7. This code controlled language and conduct, and it was created with the goal of reducing conflict.
  8. The ceremonial duel served as an example of the code in action.
  9. When the duelists got together in a hidden location, they selected their weapons from a collection of lethal weaponry and put their lives in danger as they battled with swords or shot pistols at one another.
  10. With the exception of Burr, dueling was instrumental in propelling these individuals to notoriety.

During the 1830s, religious piety was increasingly incorporated into the honor credo, resulting in the development of an ethic of “righteous honor.” It emphasized the importance of moderation as the surest road to moral virtue, but it also allowed for the justification of violence when faced with the prospect of moral corruption.

Domestic dysfunction was a threat to personal honor, which in turn posed a threat to public humiliation.

Canings, whippings, and clubbings were also used to maintain one’s reputation, but these acts were typically reserved for men who were deemed socially unequal, and, unlike dueling, the violent act was intended to demonstrate that the man assaulted was no better than a slave, rather than a free man.

  1. Whippings, beatings, and even sexual assaults, including rape, were used to inflict pain on the victims of the violence.
  2. Sharpening of fingernails and filing of teeth into razor sharp points were among the tactics employed, which included gouging eyes and biting off ears and noses with razor sharp teeth.
  3. The judicial system played a role in the predominance of violence in the Old South, although only to a certain extent.
  4. However, despite the fact that hundreds of duelists battled and murdered one another, there is no indication that many of these duelists were prosecuted or executed.
  5. Prosecutors, on the other hand, constantly pursued cases against lower-class southerners, who were found guilty in larger numbers than their richer peers.
  6. In the same way that southern males worked hard to retain their feeling of masculinity, southern women worked hard to nurture their sense of femininity.
  7. In the South, the cult of domesticity severely restricted the ability of wealthy women to participate in public affairs.
  8. Managing the home, on the other hand, was not an easy task.
  9. It would be practically continual labor for the great majority of southern women who did not live on plantations to keep their families clean, nourished, and well-behaved in order to manage the home.
  10. Scarlett O’Hara’s fictitious life was filled with leisure activities and adventures.
  11. Men and women of all races and ethnic backgrounds were haunted by violence in a culture entrenched in slavery, and this brutality hovered over the Old South, haunting men and women of all races and ethnicities as well as Native Americans.

There is a lot of history in the Old South that has influenced what has become mainstream American culture throughout time.

19 Things That Are 100% Southern Culture

When I type ‘tall’ on my phone, it immediately corrects itself to ‘y’all, which is Southern culture,” says the author.

1.Shading people, but in a socially acceptable way:

When I type ‘tall’ on my phone, it instantly autocorrects to ‘y’all, which is Southern culture,” says the author.

2.Combining as many words as you can into one:

Me typing tall on my phone and having it autocorrect to y’all is what Southern culture is all about. 10th of August, 2018 02:14 a.m.

4.Not being able to turn off good manners:

When the girl working at Subway and I connected over the fact that we went to middle school together, but then she addressed me as ma’am when ringing me up, that was Southern culture at its finest. 22nd of October, 2018 at 02:42 a.m.

5.And insisting other people have good manners too:

Someone in any direction whisper “You’re welcome, Your Highness,” and knowing that someone neglected to say “thank you” when the door was held open for them is part of Southern culture, and it is something that will be spoken about for the next two weeks. 10th of June, 2018 at 02:28 PM

6.Playing this guessing game:

Because everyone says caramel, I didn’t realize there was an extra A in caramel until sixth grade, which is typical of Southern culture. 29th of November, 2018 at 3:42 a.m.

8.Hanging out at Walmart while avoiding people you know:

My folks are literally arranging when they will go to Cracker Barrel tomorrow so that they can be there before the church crowds arrive at the restaurant. This is the culture of the South. 10th of June, 2018 at 12:02 a.m.

10.Not knowing how to drive in the snow:

A comprehensive ranking of the top voices in country music is presented in this article: The answer is 15. There’s14. No 13. Way 12. You 10. Can 9. All 8. The 7. Amazing 6. Voices 5. Found 4. In 3. Country 2. Musical compositions Dolly Parton is number one on the list. 30th of July, 2018, 10:05 p.m.

12.Sweating constantly from May to October:

Things are referred to in a distinct way in the southern states. For example, the term “commode” refers to a toilet. And the phrase “isn’t it nice?” is code for “that’s dreadful.” 05:35 p.m. – August 24, 2018

15.Hearing “Amazing Grace” likeallllllthe time:

It is considered Southern custom to stroll into someone’s home and yell “knock knock” without really knocking. 05 November 2018, 11:51 p.m.

18.Learning the true meaning of patience:

Walking into someone’s home and yelling “knock knock” without even knocking is considered Southern tradition. 05/11/2018 11:51 p.m. –

Redefining Southern Culture

Mentality and self-identity in the Contemporary South

Title Details

The finished dimension is 6.120in x 9.250in.

Formats

Publication date: August 1, 1999 9-780-8203-2139-4 is the ISBN for this book. Price on the shelf: $28.95 Mind and Identity in the Modern SouthSkip to the end of the page Throughout the history of the South, from the creation of the first “New South” in the aftermath of Appomattox to the current debate over the Confederate flag, Redefining Southern Culture chronicles the remarkable story of southern identity and its perseverance in the face of sweeping changes in the region’s economy, society, and political structure.

  • James C.
  • Cobb investigates southern identity in all of its ever-changing manifestations, from history and literature to blues and country music to popular and consumer cultures, in this vivid and fascinating work.
  • Throughout his career, James C.
  • The essays collected in Redefining Southern Culture reflect this fascination.
  • Redefining Southern Culturewill unquestionably be a crucial work for historians and other researchers who are interested in the South in general and the South in particular.
  • Cobb, who is at ease when dealing with issues of economic development and artistic expression, engages familiar figures in this manuscript, including writers from the Southern Literary Renaissance, historian C.
  • J.

The author ofJudgment and Grace in Dixie, Charles Reagan Wilson, expressed his feelings in this way: Cobb’s work draws on the writings of a wide range of historians, and his notes serve as a valuable resource for researchers.

— According to the Library Journal James C.

Cobb’s style is smooth and charming.

— The News & Observer of Raleigh This book demonstrates the abilities of a gifted folklorist and music historian of southern music by presenting in great detail the stories, melodies, and voices of history that engage the imagination.

Cobb brings to his studies a wide and valuable range of cultural history as well as a great deal of attention to detail.

— from the Southern Register The opinions of Jim Cobb should be taken seriously by anybody who is interested in the South and its role in the larger scheme of things.

The Tampa Tribune contributed to this report. Only a handful of historians are capable of writing on both economic and cultural history at the same time, but James Cobb is one of them. Mississippi Quarterly is a publication that publishes articles on a variety of topics.

About the Author/Editor

JAMES C. COBB is a Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Georgia, where he holds the B. Phinizy Spalding Distinguished Professorship. In addition to Redefining Southern Culture and The Brown Decision, Jim Crow, and Southern Identity (both Georgia), Away Down South, The Selling of the South: The Southern Crusade for Industrial Development, 1936-1990, and The Mississippi Delta and the Roots of Regional Identity are among his numerous publications.

The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture

A Distinguished Professor of History at The University of Georgia, JAMES C. COBB is named after B. Phinizy Spalding. In addition to Redefining Southern Culture and The Brown Decision, Jim Crow, and Southern Identity (both Georgia), he has written Away Down South, The Selling of the South: The Southern Crusade for Industrial Development, 1936-1990, and The Most Southern Place on Earth: The Mississippi Delta and the Roots of Regional Identity.

THE SOUTHERN CULTURE OF HONOR AND VIOLENT ATTITUDES

ABSTRACT Until recently, the majority of research on subcultures of violence concentrated on the presence of a Southern subculture of violence or a black subculture of violence in the South. A Culture of Honor has been developed in recent thinking on this topic, which addresses many of the shortcomings of previous literature and reframes the issue by introducing the concept of a Culture of Honor. In particular, this viewpoint contends that, if there is a subculture of violence in the United States, it is more widespread among Southern white males from rural regions.

We discovered from our examination of GSS data that Southern white males from rural regions are more supportive of violence only under specific circumstances, some of which may be perceived as defensive in character, and all of which had moderate to low approval ratings to begin with.

However, when confronted with settings in which general acceptability is moderate to low, this group is more likely to approve of the use of violence—a finding that we interpret as partially supporting a subcultural explanation of violence.

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