Stereotypes. They’re all around us. They make our lives easier. They’re categories to put people in so we don’t actually have to get to know them as individuals.
And one of the strongest, most-enduring stereotype is that of the typical Southerner. I mean, we all know what a typical Southerner looks and sounds like, right? Having grown up in NC and lived in several states throughout the South, I feel well-equipped to address a few of those pesky stereotypes. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
1. Southerners have a funny accent.
Some do, some don’t. Did you hear that? Let me say it again: some don’t. Are you shocked? (more…)
At least that’s the common belief. But I have to tell you, it ain’t true. I may have played at being a princess with my friends, but it definitely wasn’t what I wanted for my life. I wanted to be an actor or a writer. (And there was a brief stint of wanting to be a waitress. Yeah, I don’t know what that was about. I’m sure my career aspirations scared the mess out of my logical, practical parents.)
We’ve romanticized the idea of being a princess. It means being special, wealthy, loved. And so we think, “hey, if we can make girls feel like princesses, they’ll understand their self-worth.”
Sometimes I’m plagued by who I should be, things I should do.
I should be the kind of wife who makes supper for her husband every night. I should clean the bathroom every week. I should get up early and be happy about it. I should hum cheerfully while I dust.
Should, should, should.
Everyone’s got an opinion. Family especially. They’re all too happy to share their ideas on what a good wife is. They offer prescriptive rules dominated by the should clause. (more…)