http://mikenet707.blogspot.com/2013/08/2355-survey-questions-and-maps.html
It's very clear that people form definite opinions of people living in other places. Xenophobia is as American as apple pie! And, to a certain degree, we egg each other on in these views.
On the other hand, there are states that draw relatively little notice. I'm afraid that some of us don't have an idea about South Dakota or New Hampshire. For all I know, they might eat cats as staples there, and speak some foreign language. But probably not. Someone would have published a New Hampshire cookbook by now, I suppose.
The obvious example of a sectional flag is the Rebel flag. While very few Southerners nowadays have it in their heads to secede from the Union, some display it as a token of their heritage, like barbecue, white lightning, grits, and bluegrass music. Not to mention the Fall obsession with football! For some, it's to identify possibly with other Southerners. It's a regional thing. Southerners are attached to the region. Some would say overly much. As a result, some don't transplant very well. When dining in the West Coast you can actually undergo grits withdrawal!
Here's an idea: maybe some of the other regions could come up with regional-specific banners to indicate their regional pride: in the Mountain West, in Appalachia, in New England, in the Upper Peninsula*, in the Northwest . . . . And display these on the beach while drinking too much beer, hanging out at rock concerts, and on automobile bumpers. I can imagine the slogan: "Get your Heart in New England or get your Ass out!" As a matter of fact, I'm gonna copyright that expression. (c)
I think this is a good idea. After all, those Washington State and Oregon people need a banner to wave to taunt those ubiquitous Californians, those in nearby states need to have theirs to irritate those Greenies (Colorado residents), and those Yoopers need to have theirs to make the people from the Mitt, not to mention those Ohioans, feel like outsiders.
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And Arkansasans need more than their timid state flag and their proclivity to wear hats shaped like hogs to proclaim their individuality! Come on, guys: make up a banner that proclaims, "I am from Arkansas and I'm proud of it!" Who knows, even Hillary Clinton may display it!
*Of Michigan. The Yoopers need their own flag to counter the rash of Yooper Jokes.
my oldest sis has been a yooper for about 25 yrs. :)
ReplyDeleteThat slogan about New England is worth the sting of living there!
ReplyDeleteI thought 'Who is this Mike guy she's talking about?' IT'S ME!
ReplyDeleteA good idea, you betcha!
ReplyDeleteThe Hawaiians got their independence flag just waiting!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3
very interesting -
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of 'yooper' before - love these little insights!!!
I first heard the expression "Yoopers" as the name of a musical group that sang the Christmas song "Rusty Chevrolet" (to the tune of "Jingle Bells"). It's really funny ... see it here on YouTube: http://youtu.be/50IgzksUqpQ
ReplyDeleteI think Wisconsin should go to war with Mcihigan and take the Upper Penninsula. And Maine should go to war with Canada and take all the land south of the St Laurent seaway
ReplyDeleteI think Wisconsin should go to war with Michigan and take the Upper Penninsula. And Maine should go to war with Canada and take all the land south of the St Laurent seaway
ReplyDeleteThere's no excuse for South Carolina!
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl, hope she liked it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leroy
Mike, you da man!
Grand, thanks!
Bilbo, great song find!
Sinner Bob, how about the shag?
MarkD60, expansionist Wisconsinites is all we need.
Cloudia, it's an attractive flag!