I live just outside a small rural town in the Florida Panhandle. I've lived in this area for 35 years now and though I call it home, I still abide as a stranger. My wife alternates between saying "You are not a true Southerner" and "You are just barely south of the Mason-Dixon line." Nonetheless even crypto Yankees are welcome here so long as they mind their manners (basically don't mock people no matter what). There is a Facebook page about local news run by people with deep family roots here. It runs links to stories about government tyranny, crimes and traffic crashes, charity events, lost pets, vendor recommendations and lots of inspirational memes. There is something endearing about it all. Even the people forever warning us about plots to take our guns and our freedoms show a streak of naked human compassion for the less vigilant once in a while. There is not much tolerance for racial dehumanizing either. I've seen hints of the old attitudes, but very rarely. Most everyone would rather live on good terms with each other. Once in a blue moon an admin will post a warning that racist comments and commenters will be removed. Presumably that means a Facebook skirmish was just memory holed. I'll start to worry about our nation in earnest when the hegemony of good manners starts to lose its force here.

2020-08-08

My take above on Southerners and mocking is a bit off I think. I think they are ok with a good mocking, but it has to be kind hearted and done with humility.