Posts tagged South Carolina
The Modern Southern Gentleman...
Where tradition meets the 21st century
![I recently made a trip back home to Memphis, with pit stops in Sikeston, MO to see my maternal grandparents and Potts Camp, MS to visit my daddy’s side of the family. When I travel, I think a lot about the South, what it was, what it is, where it’s headed. But it seems like there there isn’t always a consensus about what is Southern and what isn’t. My grandparents in Sikeston, for example, have a few Southern tendencies, but don’t really consider themselves Southern, but both of their children do/did.
Momma moved to Memphis in 1976 to attend nursing school and most definitely has always considered herself a Southern woman. Her brother stayed in the Bootheel, but he and his kids all consider themselves Southern. And my mother and I have always accepted that as fact. After all, Southeast MO is a cultural transition area where the South meets the Midwest. That part of the sate often even pronounces their homeland as “Missourah” instead of the traditional “Missouree,” definitely a Southern speech pattern.
My grandparents tell me almost every time I see them that I “don’t sound like [I’m] from Memphis.” It used to somewhat offend me, but I’ve realized why they think this way: I speak quickly. The idea that all Southerners speak slowly is not only antiquated, it’s very inaccurate. Sure, there are plenty of Southerners that still speak like that, but it’s not really the norm anymore. So many of us are from large cities and speaking slowly just doesn’t generally cut it there. Doesn’t mean we’ve lost our accent or manners, just that we have just as much to say, but less time to do so.
But Southern culture isn’t one giant homogenous thing. We share common elements, the fact that we drawl our words, but even the way we do that varies. Carolina Lowcountry isn’t West Tennessee cotton culture. So, I decided to make this map. I know that even this is somewhat of a generalization, but feel like it’s pretty accurate. I’m always open to suggestions if anyone has them. And obviously these different areas aren’t exclusive; cultures bleed and blend. Southern Appalachia is most definitely Southern, but it’s different than central Georgia’s culture. Also, the Deep South is generally listed as MS, AL, and GA. But Southeast AR, North LA and SC definitely constitute Deep South as well. I’ve included the very Southwest corner of TN, namely Memphis and up to around the Covington, TN area. The reason for this is that we are part of the Mississippi River Delta and Delta culture is most definitely Deep South.
Do note “New South” doesn’t strictly denote the idea that these areas haven’t always been considered the South, rather that they are now the outermost border of what is thought of as the South by most people today.
Our culture constantly grows, shifts, and evolves, yet maintains our Southern charms and sensibilities. The South is our home and here’s to keeping it that way!](http://25.media.tumblr.com/17cb89d01389901693d7202fd909c03b/tumblr_mkngaoHQdc1qbhbtxo1_500.jpg)
I recently made a trip back home to Memphis, with pit stops in Sikeston, MO to see my maternal grandparents and Potts Camp, MS to visit my daddy’s side of the family. When I travel, I think a lot about the South, what it was, what it is, where it’s headed. But it seems like there there isn’t always a consensus about what is Southern and what isn’t. My grandparents in Sikeston, for example, have a few Southern tendencies, but don’t really consider themselves Southern, but both of their children do/did.
Momma moved to Memphis in 1976 to attend nursing school and most definitely has always considered herself a Southern woman. Her brother stayed in the Bootheel, but he and his kids all consider themselves Southern. And my mother and I have always accepted that as fact. After all, Southeast MO is a cultural transition area where the South meets the Midwest. That part of the sate often even pronounces their homeland as “Missourah” instead of the traditional “Missouree,” definitely a Southern speech pattern.
My grandparents tell me almost every time I see them that I “don’t sound like [I’m] from Memphis.” It used to somewhat offend me, but I’ve realized why they think this way: I speak quickly. The idea that all Southerners speak slowly is not only antiquated, it’s very inaccurate. Sure, there are plenty of Southerners that still speak like that, but it’s not really the norm anymore. So many of us are from large cities and speaking slowly just doesn’t generally cut it there. Doesn’t mean we’ve lost our accent or manners, just that we have just as much to say, but less time to do so.
But Southern culture isn’t one giant homogenous thing. We share common elements, the fact that we drawl our words, but even the way we do that varies. Carolina Lowcountry isn’t West Tennessee cotton culture. So, I decided to make this map. I know that even this is somewhat of a generalization, but feel like it’s pretty accurate. I’m always open to suggestions if anyone has them. And obviously these different areas aren’t exclusive; cultures bleed and blend. Southern Appalachia is most definitely Southern, but it’s different than central Georgia’s culture. Also, the Deep South is generally listed as MS, AL, and GA. But Southeast AR, North LA and SC definitely constitute Deep South as well. I’ve included the very Southwest corner of TN, namely Memphis and up to around the Covington, TN area. The reason for this is that we are part of the Mississippi River Delta and Delta culture is most definitely Deep South.
Do note “New South” doesn’t strictly denote the idea that these areas haven’t always been considered the South, rather that they are now the outermost border of what is thought of as the South by most people today.
Our culture constantly grows, shifts, and evolves, yet maintains our Southern charms and sensibilities. The South is our home and here’s to keeping it that way!
South Carolina
This is from the Palmetto State Facebook.
If you are from South Carolina, you know how fucking true this is. Hell. If you’ve even BEEN here, you know what this is.
Minus that one obviously racial remark, I’d have to say this is pretty true form the time I’ve spent in South Carolina.
Hell Yeah, Damn Right!
(via beingdecided)
(Source: collegecheerleadinglove)
This is only one part of campus…and its called the “Horseshoe” because its shaped like a horseshoe :)
(Source: collegecheerleadinglove)
OH YEAH BAND PHOTOS YEAH #2
The University of South Carolina
Founded in 1801 as South Carolina College, The University of South Carolina is the 3rd oldest university in the SEC behing The University of Georgia and The University of Tennessee. Located in Columbia, SC, USC is home to almost 30,000 students as of 2010. The university has 14 internal colleges and has over 350 programs of study, one of the broadest in the SEC.
Tensions in the state of South Carolina had long been felt between the two wealthiest parts of the state: the southeastern, coastal Lowcountry and the northwestern Backcountry or Upstate populations. Tensions became so bad the state actually moved the capital from Charleston, the heart of the Lowcountry, to Columbia in 1786. This allowed for equal access to governmental buildings for both regions, instead of the previous two days ride previously required for Backcountry residents. For this same reason, The University of South Carolina was founded in Columbia. The first class on campus began the the fall of 1805 in the building now known as Rutledge College, the only building on campus at the time. This building became the anchor for what is now known as The Horseshoe, along with the other 10 original buildings to the campus.
After surviving both an earthquake and a major fire, The University of South Carolina suffered the same fate of most Southern universities ans was forced to close its doors in 1861. It was forced to do so when it came time for the stat of South Carolina to supply 18,000 soldiers for the Confederate forces. All of USC’s students left to enlist instead of facing the dishonor of being conscripted. Although the university fought valiantly to keep its doors open, it simply wasn’t possible. However, unlike The University of Alabama and Louisiana State University, the Union Army didn’t burn the campus to the ground because it had been converted into a hospital. I guess that’s one of the perks of the otherwise ridiculous notion of “Gentleman’s Warfare” that was still in the popular consciousness at the time.
When the university finally reopened in 1866, it had lofty and avant garde goals for its time. Not only did USC add African Americans to its governing board of trustees, it also admitted African American students. Although a branch of what would become LSU had done something similar, earlier, South Carolina was the only school to do so in the Southern Reconstruction era. As so many things during this time, the period of diversity and acceptance was short lived. When Reconstruction ended in 1877, the government of South Carolina shut the university down. These ultra-conservative leaders reopened the university in 1880, but as a white-only agricultural institution. This constant struggle of politics was prevalent in late 19th century South Carolina and the university couldn’t steer clear of it.
After years of flux from a college to a university to and back, USC was finally rechartered for the last time in 1906 as The University of South Carolina. Although the Great Depression had a major impact on USC, WWII actually had somewhat of a positive impact. By participating in the US Navy’s V-12 Officer’s Training Program, again like LSU and Bama, Carolina doubled its number of students and brought in more funding as soldiers took advantage of the GI Bill.
By the 1950’s, The University of South Carolina was beginning to return to its Antebellum glory. Although UT was the first school in the SEC to integrate in 1957, SC followed shortly thereafter and was the 3rd SEC school to integrate in 1963, and rather quietly. Between 1960 and 1980, when the “Baby Boomer” generation was entering college, the school’s attendance jumped from 5,600 to 29,000.
Now, USC is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top universities. This success and a drive to further higher education in the state of South Carolina has lead to massive expansion. Although the flagship campus for the state is located in Columbia, SC, the university operates 7 other satellite campuses as well: USCAiken in central Aiken, SC, USCBeaufort with dual campuses in Beaufort and Bluffton in the Carolina and Georgia Sea Islands, USCLancaster in north-central Lancaster, SC, USCSalkehatchie which also has dual campuses in south-central South Carolina, one in Allendale, SC near the Georgia border and Walterboro, SC, closer to the coast, USCSumter in central-eastern Sumter, SC near Shaw Air Force Base, USCUnion in north-midcentral Union, South Carolina, and USCUpstate in northwest Spartanburg, SC. All together, The University of South Carolina has almost 45,000 students, although about 30,000 attend the flagship Columbia campus. Interestingly enough, all the campuses use garnet as one of their official school colors. The One exception is USCUpstate who, although using garnet for school colors, using teal, black, and white for athletics. Someone has to be different, I guess.
The mascot of the The University of South Carolina is the “Gamecock,” sometimes shortened to “Cocks,” and the Williams-Brice stadium is lovingly termed “The Cockpit.” Like several other SEC schools, such as Auburn University and Ole Miss, SC started its football program in the early 1890’s. Another similarity to other SEC school are the rivalries that South Carolina has. The instate rivalry they share with Clemson University is one that most fans consider to be the biggest. And with the talk of Clemson joining the SEC in the near future, it only makes this rivalry all the more prevalent. USC’s other major rivalry is a border rivalry with The University of Georgia.
A few secondary rivalries exist with The University of Arkansas, The University of Tennessee, and The University of Florida also exist, though new, and largely due head coaching switches between the schools. USC’s longest running rivals are The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University. These rivalries go back over 100 years and are largely regional and date back to South Carolina’s membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference before joining the SEC in 1991.
From riches to rags and back to glory, The University of South Carolina is a bastion of learning and education, and one of the oldest in The South. Providing stellar education to the residents of the state and people from the world over, USC makes a positive impact in the world and the SEC is better for having it as a member.
I would just like to point out…
…that 10 out of 12 SEC teams won their games today. And the two that lost did so to other SEC teams! There’s a reason the SEC is the best conference in the nation. No wonder Texas A&M wants in.
Here are a list of the scores:
Central Michigan 13 @ Kentucky 27
Mississippi State 34 @ Auburn 41
Alabama 27 @ Penn State 11
Cincinnati 23 @ Tennessee 45
South Carolina 45 @ Georgia 42
Southern Illinois 24 @ Ole Miss 42
New Mexico 3 @ Arkansas 52
UAB 0 @ Florida 39
Connecticut 21 @ Vanderbilt 24
Northwestern State (Louisiana) 3 @ LSU 49
The Good Ol’ SEC
I’m kinda getting to this a little late in the day today thanks to a crazy day at work, but I’m bringing it to you none-the-less. Texas A&M announced today that they are planning to join the SEC.
It’s definitely still up in the air, but A&M has been wanting to do this for years. But, let me start with a a little history of the SEC. It was officially established in 1932 with 13 members. 3 of these members (“Sewanee” or University of the South, Georgia Tech, and Tulane) left the conference of the years and 2 other schools (University of Arkansas and University of South Carolina) were added in 1991, but that was the last time the conference changed; I was 5. So, this really is a big decision. ESPN is reporting that it is unsure as to whether or not there are enough favorable votes to get A&M into the conference.
Personally, I hate to see A&M join the SEC. They’re not in the Southeast and that bugs me, nit to mention, I just don’t think their football has consistently been up to par. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the most adamant of football fans, a sin here in the South. But SEC football is a whole different monster. You just can’t understand it until you have actually experienced it. A game at Neyland Stadium here at The University of Tennessee has up to 112,000 fans in the stadium alone, and there are rarely too many empty seats. That doesn’t begin to count the tens of thousands of people that drive from all over the country just to tailgate on campus and watch the game either on their own satellite T.V.’s or at any of the plethora of restaurants showing the game on The Strip or all over the city.
Texas A&M also knows that in order to get in, they have to bring another school with them. The potential candidates are being reported as Mizzou, Florida State (a school that’s been invited several times), and Clemson.
Clemson and FSU I can understand as they’re both schools that, atmospherically, would fit right in to the SEC. Mizzou, not so much. They’re Midwestern. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s just different.
My pick for a potential partner and the only way I’d ever open-armed welcome Texas A&M into the majesty that is the SEC? If they brought The University of Memphis with them. I know, I know, I always catch flack when I bring up this point, but hear me out. Memphis already has a great basketball program, something fairly lacking in the SEC. We’re a football conference and we know it. But wouldn’t it be great to up the game for hoops as well? And it would allow Memphis something they’re never going to get otherwise: the ability to recruit top-notch football athletes. Memphis is nestled right in the heart of the SEC. All of the good players that want to stay in the South or come to the South have 5 SEC schools within 3 or so hours of Memphis. Make it 6 hours and you’ve got the entire conference, minus South Carolina and Florida. In many ways, Memphis just doesn’t stand a chance. I’ll hold out hope, but not y breath.
That’s all I’ve got for now, but expect more on this in the future. And as football season gears up, I plan to do a blog per week about every school in the SEC. I’m actually really looking forward to that.
