Are we losing our Southern Pride?

[gjoseph]

I'm wondering b/c I feel here in Tampa that we're losing our Southern Identity especially b/c Jacksonville, and Tampa have deep Southern roots but JAX seems to keep it's Southern culture.

[facilities man]

Tampa still has it somewhat. Jax still has it. I think it's already left Orlando except for some very rural suburban areas.

The growth of Orlando has overrun the traditional "southern" areas. As late as the early 80's Kissimmee was purely a cow town, with cowboys and every other vehicle a pickup truck. Kissimmee is now over 50% Hispanic and houses all the hospitality workers. It's a different place. Oviedo use to be a sleepy little hammock you drove through the woods to get to. Now it's part of the metro area. If you've lived in Central Florida long enough you might remember when Lake Mary was the far out country-ish suburb of Sanford. Lake Mary is congested and filled with fast food, strip plaza's and office parks now, and Orlando metro area has expanded through Lake Mary into Sanford and beyond. The Southern areas of Orlando have been overrun with growth to the point they are no longer Southern.

[gjoseph]

I'm a native Floridian of the age of 16 I just hate to see my state overrun by Greedy Yankees and midwesterners who are ruining our quality of life here such as the environment, culture, etc.. I like the fast paced lifestyle but I also like my southern culture and of course my Southern drawl and they say the drawl is dying in central florida like you can only find it outside of Tampa and Orlando (Hernando, Polk, Pasco counties etc.)

[poonther]

I've not been this far out east in Orange County in a long-time, but isn't Bithlo and Christmas still pretty Southern?

[tombarnes]

Many parts of central Florida are following in the wake of south Florida in losing Southern character. This may not be as true as one gets away from the orbit of the Mouse, but I still think that a great deal of the character of Florida has been lost.

[convulso]

^ that's why i cherish the gulf coastal region from cedar key all the way north past appalachicola. it's just not been f'd with - yet.

and gjoseph - i like your position on the matter. just cultivate a reasoned acquittal of your position (to defend it when you're attacked for your views) and you'll be set!

[Topher1]

If Bithlo and Christmas are the "real Florida," then I say bring on the Yankees!

Trailer parks and souped-up racing school buses aren't my thing.

In all seriousness, the problem isn't necessarily growth. It's unplanned growth that is destroying Florida (and most growing places). People toss around the statement that S. Florida destroyed it's Florida character. I tend to think that it has FAR more character than anywhere in the rest of the state. Oviedo, Clermont, New Port Richey, Brandon, <insert sterile suburb name here>, are the places where character and charm are being destroyed. These are places that are not only paving over the places that make Florida unique, but are replacing them with soulless garbage. Kudos to the cities and towns that have made an effort to channel the growth in more interesting forms.

[seminole]

Is this White Trash Bash 2007 considered a southern thing? If so, then I can't wait to see change hit the panhandle because this is ridiculous and embarrassing. What a way to commemorate Memorial Day!!!!

It's not like the southern tradition is being confined to a reservation like the true historians (native americans - cough, cough).

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/g...0803&Ref=PH

[convulso]

nothing southern about any of it. hicks are everywhere. you should check out lake havasu city when all the trash comes out for spring break. or spend a couple of nights in needles, CA listening to fighting redneck tweekers in your hotel parking lot.

[seminole]

nothing southern about any of it. hicks are everywhere. you should check out lake havasu city when all the trash comes out for spring break. or spend a couple of nights in needles, CA listening to fighting redneck tweekers in your hotel parking lot.

That's certainly nice to hear.

[Miesian Corners]

nothing southern about any of it. hicks are everywhere. you should check out lake havasu city when all the trash comes out for spring break. or spend a couple of nights in needles, CA listening to fighting redneck tweekers in your hotel parking lot.

Agreed! After living in Syracuse, Sarasota and Los Angeles, one thing that made itself implicityly clear: my home state of South Carolina does not have a corner on the market when it comes to rednecks, hicks, or trash. There is plenty to be found in the malls of the San Fernando Valley, at the Indian casinos of central NY state (and oh so many Camaros and TransAms with flames down their sides in the parking lots), and in virtually any Wal Mart store (especially in Bradenton, FL) nationwide.

[dgreen]

If Bithlo and Christmas are the "real Florida," then I say bring on the Yankees!

Trailer parks and souped-up racing school buses aren't my thing.

In all seriousness, the problem isn't necessarily growth. It's unplanned growth that is destroying Florida (and most growing places). People toss around the statement that S. Florida destroyed it's Florida character. I tend to think that it has FAR more character than anywhere in the rest of the state.

I AGREE!

[traintrain]

My Story:A few years ago, I was offerd the director position for a new Central Florida transit agency. The Board Members came out to my house for a casual interview over Ice Tea and cookies. When they walked into my HOME office, they noted a large Confederate flag hanging on the wall, surrounded by photos of my volunteer work in local schools as a "Confederate Soldier". I told them I don't re-enact in the field, but enjoy spinning history storys for the smaller children.

About 2 weeks passed, then one night, about 10:30 PM, I got THE call. MY DREAM JOB! The Board had made a decision that I was to be named as the first director. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. Then they said, "Of course the Board wants you to remove that flag from your wall, you understand, it's just bad politics."In about 2 seconds my anger flaired up from somewhere deep within, I responded in rather loud and absolute terms:"Let me tell you something, I AM A SOUTHERNER, My father was a Southerner, His father was a Southerner, and HIS father fought in Company E, 5Th Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States of America! I'm not taking that flag down for you, for your Board, for the Governor or for the President! THE FLAG WILL STAY ON THE WALL! GOOD NIGHT TO YOU SIR! SLAM!

Buuzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Nope, haven't lost a bit of mine. Didn't get the job, and wouldn't have taken it after that.

In the battle of the "Bloody Angle" our troops ran out of bullets, so they threw stones and drove the Yankees back.

Ladies and Gentlemen, THROW YOUR STONES !

traintrain

[JRS1]

I bleed orange and blue. that said, when UF isn't playing, I always root for the southern team... always. it goes: UF, then SEC, then FSU, UM, etc., then all other southern teams...

b/c of the sports angle, it made me develop a greater southern pride than I previously had.

[paulreiffel]

Its quite Interesting to see the results.A lot of people believe that the central region is losing is sovereignty but as far as my view is consult the North Florida.Lets see what the final results of this pool declares...

[TRENCH]

I would like to read the opinions of people on this since it's 2015 now.  

Obviously Orlando and the whole Central area is a metropolis now with no "southern pride".  The last time I saw a Confederate flag wave around Orlando was 2008