Spring Break

During Spring Break, I went to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which happens to be where I live. Though Florida is the Southern-most state of the Continental United States, it is not very "southern," per se. It is very likely to drive through a neighborhood where prices for houses don't drop below $1 million dollars, and according to stereotypes the South is not very wealthy. I have personally never seen to much money at display as I have seen it in South Florida-- especially South Beach. As we drove around, the only cars seen were Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rolls Royce, Porches, and Cadillacs at the very least. Trucks were a rare sighting... but isn't the South supposed to have an enormous amounts of trucks, especially Chevrolets? Well, apparently not in Florida. Then again, I don't believe Florida can actually be considered a "Southern" state, considering it wasn't even part of the Confederacy. Also consider that Southern traditions are mocked in Florida... One most certainly does not go around saying "ya'll" or displaying a Confederate flag, and those that do become a subject of ridicule. I find it ironic that most people that mock these traditions are the wealthy ones, and these are the ones the true "Southerners" dislike as well. It's interesting how the world works...

Esta Vida

Because I grew up in two different places, music has impacted my life in many different ways. When I lived in Colombia, all the music I listened to was in Spanish--salsa, merengue, vallenato, cumbia. The beat is very distinct for each type and rhythm flows through your entire body. I understood the lyrics, related to them, and absolutely love them. However, American music is completely different from latin music. I can't quite relate to blue, or jazz; much less hard rock, considering it seemed chaotic the first time I heard it. As time passed, I began to learn English a lot better, and thus was able to understand, but not exactly relate to American music. Today, I'm able to relate to both Hispanic and American music, though in very different levels. Whenever frustrations sets in, Hispanic music can usually help me regain my senses; perhaps because most frustration relates to a certain degree of "homesickness." Needless to say, listening to American music at these times wouldn't exactly be the wisest choice.
One of my favorite songs, if not my favorite song, is called "Esta Vida," which means "this life." Overall, it pretty much takes you in a journey through your life, reminding you that times may get hard, but in the end everything is bound to work out wonderfully. Coming to Tech, I experienced things I never thought I would. At Tech, a school that is predominantly science based, religion might seem to be unimportant. But in a way, I was mistaken. A song in English called "Hold my Heart" reminds me a lot of the culture I was born into, and makes me question my values, opinions, and beliefs.

What Type of Music Speaks to You?

We have been discussing southern stereotypes over and over again every week. So I wanted to try something a little different. As I was writing my literary analysis paper on gospel music, I realized that every person has a certain genre that they can relate to the most. Whether you listen to music just for entertainment or whether you turn to music for guidance, everyone listens to music. What type of music do you listen to and what do you use music for? After identifying with your favorite genre, discuss your favorite musical artists who happen to be from the south and why you love them.
As you all know, my all time favorite musical artist is Beyonce. However, I have already written about her so I would have to say that my second favorite musical artist is Trey Songz. Trey Songz is a southern boy who was born and raised in Petersberg, Virginia. I love Trey Songz because his musical lyrics actually have meaning. He discusses the feelings that men go through while they are in intimate relationships with a woman. I like to listen to music that I can learn from or relate to. Because I am not a male, I tend to sometimes not know how men feel in certain situations and he definitely speaks on it through his lyrics. To me, music is an outlet when I need to get away from the world. Every time I am stressed or I am feeling down, I turn to music to lift up my spirits. Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is my favorite genre because it focuses more on the lyrical content of the artist rather than the fast paced beat in the background.

Below is a video of Trey Songz at the Grammy Awards. He discusses how he has matured into a young man and with maturity comes knowledge. He uses this "mature knowledge" in his lyrics of his latest songs.

Southern City Without Any Open Fields?

For spring break, 20 of my friends and I rented a house in Kissimmee, Florida for a week. When I first heard that we were staying in Kissimmee, my first thought was that we were going to be staying in the middle of nowhere because it sounded like a random city. But I was shocked when we arrived. Kissimmee is the perfect vacation spot when you are in need of a break. They have so much to offer...amusement parks, miniature golfing, restaurants, clubs and much more. As I have said in my other blogs, northerners always think that the South is full of just random open fields. Kissimmee definitely proves all stereotypes wrong as soon as you drive past the first sign that welcomes you to their city. If you ever get the chance, please visit Kissimmee, Florida. It is a very relaxing place to go visit when you need a break from life.

The Dean Mansion

I like the idea of looking at massive, out-of-place buildings - so here's another!

This mansion is considered a wonder of the modern mansions around the world. While driving around on spring break, near my hometown of Norcross, GA, my family and I passed this monstrosity. To the left and right there are normal homes, maybe $400,000 a piece, where this home runs for $30,000,000! With the 60+ acres of land the house takes up 32,000 square feet. What happened to the rest of the land? There is a private 18-hole golf course in the back yard. This, I consider, to be out of place in the South, or at least compared to the surrounding ten+ miles of housing. If you have the money to live like a king, why not do it I suppose? Living in the European countryside in the suburbs of Atlanta, the best get away.

Spring Break

Where is this place you may ask? Maybe somewhere in Europe? France? Even maybe California? No, this is a picture of Chateau Elan, which is in North Atlanta. I drove by this resort on my way back from Spring Break, and I found the idea of it quite interesting. Usually we think of places in the South trying to portray and even imitate the "Southern Image", but Chateau Elan is trying to imitate something you would find in the French Countryside. For this week's blog post, try to think of something you observed over spring break that refutes a Southern stereotype. If you can't think of anything from your spring break, try to think of another instance or find some fact online that goes against a stereotype we have discussed in class. I hope everyone had a great spring break and is ready to end the semester off on a good note!

Slavery to Freedom? Agriculture to Modern Technology?

When I think about whether or not there was a transition from the Old South to the New South, the first thing that comes to my mind is slavery. How can someone say that there has not been a transition? Years ago in the South, slavery was the main topic of discussion between whites and blacks. You could go to any state in the south and find numerous white owners with african-american slaves. On the other hand, in the New South there are black people who are the boss' of white people and many other races. Race is not as much of an issue now that everyone is supposedly "equal."
The Old South has transitioned from agriculture to modern technology. Southerners have grown from growing crops and working in the fields, to now working as engineers and scientists. Yes, some southern states still have large open fields, but the majority of the South is now full of tall buildings full of technology. This proves that the stereotype that all southerners are country people working in fields and growing crops is mostly false.
Overall, I believe that their is a clear distinction between the Old South and the New South. Of course there will be some things that will never change but overall there has been a major change in southern history.