Let's make this forum more active....

[QC]

Our complaints are being heard--people are speaking up now about regional bigotry. Now, when people post dumb, pointless shit other people call them on it.

So let's both help out and celebrate here. Report South-bashing *and* replies to it.

[carolinayellowdog]

1. Good plan

When I notice either, I'll post a link here

[Tweed]

2. I've made the Illinois Forum more active by doing several things

Now this might take away from the Southern state forums, but you could try it here. I just posted a 'What do you like about the South thread?'. Generic threads like that get alot of responses and led to a great discussion about different ways in which the south is a great place to live or how it has changed.

Sports threads are good too. Get a poll started about the best southern college football team or something like that.

Post news from the different southern regions. Scan the headlines for important southern news.

If you see someone from the South on another board, take the time to send them an invite to this board. Send them a PM with the link and everything. Tell them that the board is getting more active.

It's worked for Illinois. We have shot up from somewhere around 25th in number of posts to 4th among all states in just 2-3 months.

Those are just some suggestions. I know I don't have a monopoly on all the good ideas.

[southlandshari]

4. Thanks

Very good suggestions, especially about inviting others to join this group. I'll still keep posting on the Alabama board, but a larger forum for Southern progressives is definitely good for morale these days! We are not alone!

[southlandshari]

3. I'll do my part!

As a native Alabamian with plenty of frustration about the past and present of my home state, the last place I EVER imagined myself was in the position of repeatedly defending the South. But as someone who left home, literally lived all over the world for nearly two decades and then returned home (with some real trepidation), I know enough to know you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

There are some truly good things and truly great people 'roun he'ah where I live. I'll be happy to post in this forum when I see instances in which that reality has been completely ignored. I still ignore the majority of South-bashing threads, but some are so completely out of line and grow so large they really should not be ignored.

Thanks, as always, QC. You are pretty dadgum cool in my book (Books? Why yes! We actually have those here in Alabama these days. Shoes, too!) =)

[QC]

5. Here's a choice example:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1661118

An oasis of enlightenment in a sea of rednecks...Tallahassee.

I was born there, and I was the only Jewish kid in school. The only way it could possibly have been worse would have been being Black.

I fucking hate rednecks. The great-grandchildren of the traitors who started the civil war and defended slavery. You'd better believe that the apple never fell far from the tree in their families.

Proudly ignorant, willfully anti-intellectual, racist trash to the very last one.

Of course, the post is being praised by a guy who identifies himself as a "central NY liberal."

Frankly, "liberals" like these are the best thing the Republicans have going for them.

I posted a reply asking the guy how he could possibly think he has any room to be calling other people bigots--I expect that one to be deleted quickly while the original rant and its high-five reply remains.

[carolinayellowdog]

6. Groan...

I almost posted a personal response to the effect that some of us "rednecks" are faithful Dem voters, published scholarly authors, members of interracial families, etc. BUT THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT, and posting personal information only invites personal attacks.

Will join the thread some other way if it keeps growing. Your method seems effective.

[QC]

9. Well, I did get deleted,

but so did the post I objected to, so it's a fair trade.

Still don't think my post was objectionable, though--I simply asked him how he believed he could say such things and then have any room to accuse someone else of being a bigot.

[ernstbass]

7. South bashing going strong here at DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1313332
This is really disheartening.

[carolinayellowdog]

8. Mods getting better though

It didn't take long for a couple of hate posts to get deleted

[ernstbass]

10. I still find the bigotry and intolerance of the South

alarming and upsetting. I am shocked that so many "progressives" make such blanket generalizations - it's frightening.

[QC]

11. Here's a new and remarkably hateful one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3304128

If anybody feels like taking on the knuckledragging haters, feel free.

[southlandshari]

12. Sorry I saw it too late

I could still respond, but the thread hasn't had any activity for four days now, and this is one I'd rather let fade off into the archives rather than kick to the top of the forum for more abuse.

I will say, as I've said before, I NEVER thought I'd find myself in the position of defending the South under any circumstances, and certainly not as tenaciously as I've found myself doing here on DU. I grew up in Alabama, but ran away to see the world as soon as I finished high school, and have lived all over the world (and all over the U.S.) in the 20 years since. I married someone from another country, race and religion, and am far more liberal than just about everyone in my family tree. I returned home two years ago with no small amount of trepidation about the politics and history of my state.

All of that said, the absolute refusal of some DUers to see the present-day Deep South as more than a one dimensional, overblown stereotype of Civil War idiocy just has to be met with tactful but firm rebuttal from those of us who know better. I know my state's shameful weaknesses, but I'd be crazy to believe that they negate all of the things we Southern progressives have going for us. Around DU, it is pretty f#$%ing lonely battle at times, but one from which we should not shrink. I wish I was as eloquent as folks like QC, Quaoar, Ultraist, and so many others of you, but I do what I can. My posts have probably forever removed me from consideration for the "cool" ranks on DU, but I speak from the heart.

I am very grateful for this group and for all of you!

[ernstbass]

17. Why wasn't this thread locked?

[RoyGBiv]

13. Just lovely ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3342700&mesg_id=3342700

[RoyGBiv]

14. Mods got it quick ...

Go mods!!!

[quaoar]

15. Hit the alert button

I do it with relish when I see hateful remarks about the South.

And the mods -- who used to deny that South-bashing was a problem on DU -- are now quick to clamp down on it.

[ernstbass]

16. I have been tempted to hit the alert button several times

I will now start doing it to alert the mods - thanks for the suggestion