Intellect With a Drawl

The Real Intelligence Level of the Southern United States

All over the United States of America, people have a false understanding of the intelligence level that exist within those who live there. Of course, this is not the only misconception that people have when thinking of or referring to the southern part of this amazing country. However; many of the misunderstandings and false assumptions can be brought back down to this one aspect of how these states are viewed by the rest of the population. In truth, the southern United States is home to a collective of vastly intelligent people. It is far from the redneck and hillbilly stereotype that is often spread across the world.

In fact, the traditional and family-centric values and collective way of thinking, is perhaps among the most brilliant and even most important standards of how intellect should be judged. If the rest of the country thought a little more like the south, it is likely that much of the criminal activity that is allowed to take place in Washington and other states, would not be tolerated, thus making the country as a whole a much better place. This past election has proven that too much of the country allows criminals to gain power using obvious and treasonous behaviors. It takes a type of intelligence to know that these things should not be tolerated and should be called out. The south possesses that intelligence as well as the courage to back it up. The country could quickly learn from the think tank that is the collective of the southern citizens.

Yes, There are Rednecks, but What Does That Mean Really?

Okay, we have to address the obvious fact that it is true that there are southern people that would be classified as Rednecks. Even those who live in the south would classify them this way. A lot of people are quick to judge and have turned the term, “Redneck” into a negative and insulting terminology that incites visions of ignorant and racist people. The truth is, that is far from the truth. Are some people in the south ignorant? Yes. Are there people in every state and every country who are just as ignorant? Yes. Having a love for hunting, fishing, being outdoors, big engines or monster trucks, and all of the other passions and interest that are generally associated with being a Redneck… that doesn’t make you ignorant or racist. In fact, people outside of the south often do not realize that Rednecks come in all shapes, sizes, and yes… colors in the south.

Some of the greatest minds in history came out of the southern states. Some of the greatest minds of our own era are from the south. Just because a person speaks to you with a southern drawl, doesn’t mean there is not a great deal of education and wisdom in the words that are coming out of their mouth. It is hard to see how an inherent love and belief for treating women like your queen, respecting your elders, being good to the dog because he/she is part of the family too, loving your neighbor, and so many others that are similar nature… how can these not be seen as their own form of intelligence also? These are perhaps some of the smartest and most deeply brilliant concepts that any person could have.

Southern Intelligence Drove Racism Away

If there is one concept that is most often applied to the south and used as a false excuse to think its people are not intelligent, it is the accusation that racism runs wild in the south. Truth be told, this was true hundred years ago. It was even true fifty years ago, perhaps. In current times, however, racism lives in Washington and more western states. The south had the luxury of dealing with this issue head on and out loud. As a result, racism in the southern states is a dwindling specter of ghosts that once haunted the streets. That is not to say that racism has been eradicated here in the south. This social issue hasn’t been fully driven from any part of the world. Every color gets hated for the color of their skin by somebody, regardless of their location. People mistakenly think that black people are victims of racism in the south more than other parts of the country. In the same breath they will talk about how there aren’t that many Democrats in the south. Well, think about those two things. There are in fact far less Democrats in the south nowadays. Democrats also created the KKK. The more recent terrorist groups that spread hate have all come from outside the south. The BLM was not formed here. The terrorist that attacked the country on September 11th did not thrive here. The other terrorist groups that have shown their hatred… none of them from the south. That is because individuals in the south were smart enough to drive it away and to reinvent who we are as a collective source in the world and in our country.

In Conclusion

The south is often viewed in a light that is unfitting of its contributions and level of intelligence. False narratives and misconceived notions of who southerners are, has led to accusations and so many people around the country missing out on the lessons that can be learned here. There are both high levels of inherent and learned intellect in the southern states that proudly make up part of the United States of America. Everyone should be so lucky.