Divide between locals, non-locals is real
Editor,
Regarding your recent Editor’s Note, “Natives are restless”: In my Ohio/West Virginian Midwestern Appalachian predictability, I am probably one of those who may have asked, “where’s your accent?”
So now you must allow me to digress on this subject, which I realize was not the focus of the column:
My grandma is from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and she has the most beautiful drawl -- which I can easily distinguish from the genteel Savannahian drawl, which I realize not everyone has.
My dad has a short choppy Kentucky accent. Some folks may not think his accent is pretty, but his entire family proudly shares this choppy Appalachian accent and the clan is chock full of valedictorians, Ph.D’s, etc.
That said, you’re dead-on about the new social divide in Savannah between natives and transplants. I commonly find myself annoyed with fellow transplants who have ill-conceived notions about Southerners or that I will naturally agree with them on these notions.
But there is the whole “New South” movement. You have Deep Magazine, The South Magazine, my friend Matt Cohen’s New South Cafe at Victory & Skidaway.
Oh, and speaking of the “gone native” folks, there’s the annoying oval “Local” stickers that only people from other places adhere to their vehicles. Those are especially popular in Bluffton, S.C.
So, there are some people who fight this prejudice that occurs on both sides - the natives and the transplants.
Great column - enjoyed it!
B. Ray
Unite, don’t divide
Editor,
Regarding your Editor’s Note “Natives are restless”:
Nowhere, and I mean nowhere, have I ever lived where they refer to themselves as “Natives.” Businesses, commercials, etc. here advertise themselves as “Natives.” The mentality of the “good ole’ boy system” has left the South in the progressive cities.
It is time that Savannah become more progressive, more enlightened, and yes, even friendlier towards those who locate here, work here, pay taxes here, and support the community.
Why does Savannah even think that such terminology is even relevant? It is incredulous in this time and day. This City has a horrific crime and poverty rate and yet you are worried about the “Natives?” Please, let’s address what can be done about the crime and poverty before we worry about whether or not you are considered a cast member from “Hee-Haw.”
Name Withheld by Request
Black History clarification
Editor,
Regarding your recent Editor’s Note, Black History Month was not “jammed” into February. It was begun by the late, great black historian Carter G. Woodson as Black History Week in the 1920’s (expanded to a month in 1976).
Mr. Woodson chose February so it would coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas -- two of the most important people to black Americans. February wasn’t just chosen by “the man.”
Frank Gorman
Isn’t it (not) ironic?
Editor,
Loved your observations on locals/non-locals in last week’s Editor’s Note. As a transplant of about 25 years, I only wish I were a true Savannah boy. I often joke that my son, while born here, is almost a Savannahian, but his children surely will be.
One point, though. You refer to the fact that a contributor to the same issue is “ironically” also a local. It may be a bit of a quibble, but there is no irony in that, it is a simple coincidence. Irony is the state of the exact opposite occurrence of what one might expect, usually containing a “lesson of life.”
For instance, if a native New Yorker moved to Savannah and met her future husband who also turned out to be from New York, that would be coincidental. Had she moved to Savannah specifically to find a husband, and then met her Yankee beau here, that would be precisely ironic.
In either case, it’s no coincidence when I say keep up the good work!
J.R. Reynolds
Crazy... that’s how it goes
Editor,
Regarding Linda Sickler’s recent theatre preview of Fiction, Or Wild Stories:
“...the main character, Laura, is dealing with mental illness” is a not uncommon phrase.
One ought however name the illness. It is interesting that one does when the illness is physical, and tends not to do so, employs the above abstraction, when the illness is mental. Camille struggling with physical illness simply does not occur.
We choose to abstract, stereotype “mental illness” as an “it,” that is our cultural habit. Journalists do, dramatists do, as here, the public does, and people in mental health professions do.
Harold A. Maio
Former Consulting Editor
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal
Boston University
Fishman’s a love muffin
Jane,
Just a short letter of praise from a devoted fan: I am new to Savannah and alrready your weekly column in Connect is like the first whiff of salt air after a long drive to the beach, a warm muffin fresh from the oven, a glass of wine after a day spent cleaning and refurbishing an old musty house.
I hope that you will continue with your writing and manage to get a collection of your favorite essays published in the near future.
Jake Kawatski
Do stuff more betterer
Editor,
Summer Teal Simpson’s article, “Can’t Ignore Gore,” was written very well. She presented her ideas nicely and made some very strong points.
I just wish she had spent as much time on punctuation, so that I could have read it without stumbling over her misplaced and omitted commas and some word errors that should have been caught in the editing process.
Ginger Miles
Editor’s Note: I agree I should do a better job, Ms. Miles, so I’m turning over a new leaf by correcting the part of your letter where you misspelled “editing” as “editting.” No need to thank me!
