This is beautifully observed and beautifully formed. The only way to write about the South is aphoristically. For a non-Southerner, the South is a moral spitoon--to appropriate a phrase from Faulkner--into which they can expell the collective sins of America. The South is an idea that clears their conscience; but the South in the Southern mind is no monolith: it's analogous to the ancient Greek city states--a shared heritage among fiercely local identities. What does Lafayette have to do with Roanoke or Tallahassee with Little Rock? I once saw a bar fight between two guys over which was better, Allen Parish or Beauregard Parish. I grew up in the adjacent Calcasieu Parish, and I couldn't tell you the difference between Allen and Beauregard, but they could. What I can tell you is that they are both idiots: Calcasieu is by far the best.
As a lifelong, though well-traveled, Southerner, this all hits so true. Especially this perfectly summated line, which I still thinks informs a lot of the culture today, "Their leisure and capital was built on human and agrarian exploitation. Both countries “abolished” slavery around the same time and immediately set up replacement systems of indentured servitude."
Boy howdy, seeing too much of myself in this old attic mirror. This is excellent reportage and meditation. Always trying to rescue myself from what already happened. We’re just so many restless ghosts. I-12 cut a deadly swath right through my dark heaven. CVS replaced Badeaux’s Drive In and the Katrina refugees cut down the rest of the trees. Ronald Reagan statue in the middle of town. Walker Percy’s skulking down by the little river with the Choctaw name. If it weren’t for the Mardi Gras parades no one would remember who they were.
Well, your writing is inspiring. All the best is. There’s a voice here that rings. I love the take on Russia. And yeah, I have some stories. Enough to fill a bourbon evening for sure.
Some large part of me is to be sure. Grew up there ‘60’s, ‘70’s then back through for the second half of the 2010’s. Now in St Louis which is so much in between and fascinating. But all the rest of the family is still there. Currently likely trying to keep their landscapers. Damn tacos are good!
This is such a perceptive piece on regional identity and transformation. That observation about transplants buying trucks to "fit in better" while simultaniously destroying what they moved for really captures something most migration analysis misses. I saw the exact same thing happen in Portland over the last decade - people fleeing expensive coastal cities for "authenticity" but bringing with them the very dynamics that erode it. The standardization you describe seems almost inevitable once a place gets discovered, but maybe thats why the supposedly "undesirable" places you mention might actully be the South's best hope for cultural continuity.
I feel like the South will never not have some of that continuity because it is such a pain in the ass to live there, unlike the Pacific Northwest. It's the only thing that has ever kept New Orleans from getting completely overrun. (I say this as someone who did an academia-related stint in New Orleans and hence was part of the problem lol)
Very nicely done, Aaron! Much of Thomas Wolfe, too . . . though I don't think marrying a nurse or a dentist is going to get you to houses in Highlands and Ocracoke, where as you know I've spent a lot of time! I have other minor objections, of course . . . seriously, much to discuss. More anon. LMK if you make it stateside soonish.
Similar, morassy feelings from my upbringing in whatever-the-hell-east-Texas-swamp is. (Similar, but different, as I learned when I moved to the actual south.) The Double Dealer is a find; what a gorgeous cover. I wish they'd kept it up! But I guess that's also a Southern thing--so much potential, but then it collapses and it's back to venerating the dead through the senior book club or what have you.
Pretty much sums up my own experience. I escaped Catawba County to go to UNC Chapel Hill at 18, left UNC with a masters degree and a wife at 22, and never returned to NC except to visit. I wouldn’t want to live there, but every time I return I get the kind of feelings you describe here.
This is beautifully observed and beautifully formed. The only way to write about the South is aphoristically. For a non-Southerner, the South is a moral spitoon--to appropriate a phrase from Faulkner--into which they can expell the collective sins of America. The South is an idea that clears their conscience; but the South in the Southern mind is no monolith: it's analogous to the ancient Greek city states--a shared heritage among fiercely local identities. What does Lafayette have to do with Roanoke or Tallahassee with Little Rock? I once saw a bar fight between two guys over which was better, Allen Parish or Beauregard Parish. I grew up in the adjacent Calcasieu Parish, and I couldn't tell you the difference between Allen and Beauregard, but they could. What I can tell you is that they are both idiots: Calcasieu is by far the best.
Thank you, Michael. Very interesting—and you’re right on with “What does Lafayette have to do with Roanoke.”
As a lifelong, though well-traveled, Southerner, this all hits so true. Especially this perfectly summated line, which I still thinks informs a lot of the culture today, "Their leisure and capital was built on human and agrarian exploitation. Both countries “abolished” slavery around the same time and immediately set up replacement systems of indentured servitude."
Boy howdy, seeing too much of myself in this old attic mirror. This is excellent reportage and meditation. Always trying to rescue myself from what already happened. We’re just so many restless ghosts. I-12 cut a deadly swath right through my dark heaven. CVS replaced Badeaux’s Drive In and the Katrina refugees cut down the rest of the trees. Ronald Reagan statue in the middle of town. Walker Percy’s skulking down by the little river with the Choctaw name. If it weren’t for the Mardi Gras parades no one would remember who they were.
Ahhh i love this. Beautiful language and I bet you have some stories.
Well, your writing is inspiring. All the best is. There’s a voice here that rings. I love the take on Russia. And yeah, I have some stories. Enough to fill a bourbon evening for sure.
You must be in Mandeville or Covington.
Some large part of me is to be sure. Grew up there ‘60’s, ‘70’s then back through for the second half of the 2010’s. Now in St Louis which is so much in between and fascinating. But all the rest of the family is still there. Currently likely trying to keep their landscapers. Damn tacos are good!
Love this
Thank you, Sarah Beth! :-)
This is such a perceptive piece on regional identity and transformation. That observation about transplants buying trucks to "fit in better" while simultaniously destroying what they moved for really captures something most migration analysis misses. I saw the exact same thing happen in Portland over the last decade - people fleeing expensive coastal cities for "authenticity" but bringing with them the very dynamics that erode it. The standardization you describe seems almost inevitable once a place gets discovered, but maybe thats why the supposedly "undesirable" places you mention might actully be the South's best hope for cultural continuity.
thank you for your comment.
I feel like the South will never not have some of that continuity because it is such a pain in the ass to live there, unlike the Pacific Northwest. It's the only thing that has ever kept New Orleans from getting completely overrun. (I say this as someone who did an academia-related stint in New Orleans and hence was part of the problem lol)
I feel ya. A certain kind of life is definitely more of a hassle lol...cousin just moved to PNW for that reason.
Yep, nails it. Did I read too quickly or did you fail to mention passive-aggressive communication patterns and a massive culture of low self-esteem?
haha think i vaguely touched on it
O I could so run with that ;).
The Humidity of Oppressiveness- honorable mention.
Very nicely done, Aaron! Much of Thomas Wolfe, too . . . though I don't think marrying a nurse or a dentist is going to get you to houses in Highlands and Ocracoke, where as you know I've spent a lot of time! I have other minor objections, of course . . . seriously, much to discuss. More anon. LMK if you make it stateside soonish.
Great piece
Similar, morassy feelings from my upbringing in whatever-the-hell-east-Texas-swamp is. (Similar, but different, as I learned when I moved to the actual south.) The Double Dealer is a find; what a gorgeous cover. I wish they'd kept it up! But I guess that's also a Southern thing--so much potential, but then it collapses and it's back to venerating the dead through the senior book club or what have you.
Pretty much sums up my own experience. I escaped Catawba County to go to UNC Chapel Hill at 18, left UNC with a masters degree and a wife at 22, and never returned to NC except to visit. I wouldn’t want to live there, but every time I return I get the kind of feelings you describe here.
I'm definitely a member of that senior citizen book circle. Great work!
A very enjoyable read. Thanks.