Is Virginia Still Southern?
Years ago, I remember getting annoyed as a teenager when some dolt on "The Weather Channel" would refer to Virginia as part of the Mid-Atlantic region. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Forget Mid Atlantic. Now we're considered the part of that frozen tundra called "The Northeast". Has the North moved South? Yes and No. But I think I don't really mind being called Mid Atlantic now. In fact I would long for it. Please call us Mid Atlantic or South Atlantic, East Coast, or a border state. Anything but the Northeast! If North Carolina is often referred to as "The Mind of the South", then Virginia is just above it. We are north of North Carolina, and just below the Mason Dixon line. And we straddle the fence on what was once known as the "Upper South". But I don't think we are the Northeast. That is something I don't understand. How is Virginia the Northeast? Not by culture, certainly not by history, and no , not even geographically. Could this new regional definition be a political one? I believe it has to do with politics more than anything else. For some reason "The South" has a negative connotation. And for folks who move to Virginia, (especially those from further North), they would rather stay connected to their Northern ways and traditions. To some Yankees, the idea of living in the South actually frightens them. They must reassure themselves here, rather than embrace anything Southern. We're in Virginia- don't worry "its not actually the South". That being said, other people from the North seem to be more open to it, and well, they are really Southerners at heart!
The Mid Atlantic title makes more sense , at least. We aren't really that far South. But the Mid Atlantic means different things to different people. Mid Atlantic is a term used to describe a sub region of the Northeast, not the Southeast.. In a literal sense, Mid Atlantic states should be those states that lie between the Northeast and the Deep South. But most people simply lump it in with the great white North. So in a sort of schizophrenic way it becomes "Northeast and Mid Atlantic". That's where the problem is! Most folks don't hesitate to call Kentucky "The South" - even though it borders on Ohio and Indiana and wasn't even in the Confederacy. Kentucky with all its hillbilly ways and Loretta Lynn. But being a hillbilly is not really the same as being Southern. No one would dare call Kentucky the North or Midwest. But Virginia, steeped in tobacco, cotton, peanuts, and even the first recipe for "sweet tea" is considered the Northeast? I put aside my emotions, because I prefer facts. Facts say otherwise. Facts say that Virginia is more in tune with the South. No, Virginia is not the Northeast. No, its not the Deep South. And Yes, it can be some times Mid Atlantic. But its really more Southern than anything else. Talking to other Southerners, they seem to accept at least parts of Virginia as brethren. One South Carolinian told me: "Virginia- that's pretty far north. But its not the Yankee North!"
Even in today's " Northern Virginia "- that most un-Southern part of the Commonwealth, there is a more Southern feel than a Northern one. The pace of- say Alexandria, is much slower and honeyed than anything even a little bit further north. Alexandria is friendly. People sit a spell. Stop and talk, and wave to each other! Its not hurried and rushed. Its Robert E. Lee's home town. And nothing says "Southern Prep" like Episcopal High. The rural roads of Loudoun and Fauquier County with its hunt country estates seem to echo its Old South roots. And then Fredericksburg- where you start to sniff out great BBQ joints and even young people who talk like General Lee and the good 'ol boys dressed as modern day Confederates. Its a wonder anyone would not think this is at least the South's Gateway. Perhaps the North is moving South, but in many ways, Virginia is still holding on to its roots. And it gets stronger. I think as Virginians, we are actually more in touch with our Southern past than say , people from Alabama or Georgia. Because we are literally on the border -fighting to keep it. We are that buffer state for Northern transplants who desire better weather and cheaper housing.
Yet its no longer Northern Virginia that is under scrutiny. "NOVA" left The South a long time ago. Northern Virginia has gone up to the great big plantation in the sky .We would hope that at least "The Real Virginia" would still get a pass. But even the rest of the Commonwealth is being slowly banished from Dixie. Years ago, people used to argue over whether or not Washington, D.C. was a Southern city. Now people are disputing Richmond. Yes, Richmond- that moonlight and magnolia city with its big porch and veranda feel . The former "Capital of The Confederacy" is now considered part of the "Northeast corridor". But don't Y'all fret just yet. There are still many who consider Virginia to be legendary for its Southern hospitality, great food, and nice people. So keep your mint juleps raised high and sing a verse of Dixie, while the Northeast Metropolis whistles behind our ears. Virginia's Old South roots are never too far away. And that's not a bad thing!
The Mid Atlantic title makes more sense , at least. We aren't really that far South. But the Mid Atlantic means different things to different people. Mid Atlantic is a term used to describe a sub region of the Northeast, not the Southeast.. In a literal sense, Mid Atlantic states should be those states that lie between the Northeast and the Deep South. But most people simply lump it in with the great white North. So in a sort of schizophrenic way it becomes "Northeast and Mid Atlantic". That's where the problem is! Most folks don't hesitate to call Kentucky "The South" - even though it borders on Ohio and Indiana and wasn't even in the Confederacy. Kentucky with all its hillbilly ways and Loretta Lynn. But being a hillbilly is not really the same as being Southern. No one would dare call Kentucky the North or Midwest. But Virginia, steeped in tobacco, cotton, peanuts, and even the first recipe for "sweet tea" is considered the Northeast? I put aside my emotions, because I prefer facts. Facts say otherwise. Facts say that Virginia is more in tune with the South. No, Virginia is not the Northeast. No, its not the Deep South. And Yes, it can be some times Mid Atlantic. But its really more Southern than anything else. Talking to other Southerners, they seem to accept at least parts of Virginia as brethren. One South Carolinian told me: "Virginia- that's pretty far north. But its not the Yankee North!"
Even in today's " Northern Virginia "- that most un-Southern part of the Commonwealth, there is a more Southern feel than a Northern one. The pace of- say Alexandria, is much slower and honeyed than anything even a little bit further north. Alexandria is friendly. People sit a spell. Stop and talk, and wave to each other! Its not hurried and rushed. Its Robert E. Lee's home town. And nothing says "Southern Prep" like Episcopal High. The rural roads of Loudoun and Fauquier County with its hunt country estates seem to echo its Old South roots. And then Fredericksburg- where you start to sniff out great BBQ joints and even young people who talk like General Lee and the good 'ol boys dressed as modern day Confederates. Its a wonder anyone would not think this is at least the South's Gateway. Perhaps the North is moving South, but in many ways, Virginia is still holding on to its roots. And it gets stronger. I think as Virginians, we are actually more in touch with our Southern past than say , people from Alabama or Georgia. Because we are literally on the border -fighting to keep it. We are that buffer state for Northern transplants who desire better weather and cheaper housing.
Yet its no longer Northern Virginia that is under scrutiny. "NOVA" left The South a long time ago. Northern Virginia has gone up to the great big plantation in the sky .We would hope that at least "The Real Virginia" would still get a pass. But even the rest of the Commonwealth is being slowly banished from Dixie. Years ago, people used to argue over whether or not Washington, D.C. was a Southern city. Now people are disputing Richmond. Yes, Richmond- that moonlight and magnolia city with its big porch and veranda feel . The former "Capital of The Confederacy" is now considered part of the "Northeast corridor". But don't Y'all fret just yet. There are still many who consider Virginia to be legendary for its Southern hospitality, great food, and nice people. So keep your mint juleps raised high and sing a verse of Dixie, while the Northeast Metropolis whistles behind our ears. Virginia's Old South roots are never too far away. And that's not a bad thing!
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