There is a large difference in how Americans perceive themselves and how most of the world perceives American people. Culturally, we are extremely powerful (in the western world). American culture is often shoved down the throats of Europe, much to their dismay. The spreading of American culture as a result of the globalization is to blame for that.
America is a very patriotic nation. This is especially so, it seems, in the South. And this is unfortunate in that it harms our reputation in the same way the prom queen’s reputation would be hurt if her creepy, toothless, older brother was constantly trying to pick up on her friends. The South are very outspoken and it’s from the South that many of America’s stereotypes stem from.
Europe sees America as fat, uneducated and ignorant. I would argue against these stereotypes for the majority of our nation, however, the South brings down the averages in both matters. In terms of obesity statistics in America, Southern states account for the top ten spots[1]. When high school education numbers are viewed, we see that no southern state ranks higher than 33rd in percent of population with a high school diploma [2].
None of this was meant to be disparaging against those in the South. A little constructive criticism never hurts. I simply want to draw some attention to what these states could work on. There are fifty of us here, after all, and it’s unfair of a dozen of you to ruin a reputation that was once stellar. One bad apple ruins the bunch. You’ve brought us some great stuff as well: Chick-fil-A, William Faulkner, Jazz. You can recover! Step it up Dixie land.This brought to you by
