Chicken, Southern Fried.

Now, when I say chicken, I don’t mean that KFC, fake-bake, preserved crap. I’m talkin’ ‘bout that good ol’ southern fried chiken! Nothing beats momma’s home-cooked fried chicken. In my family, as most southern families are nowadays, the recipes have been passed down through the generations to the women in the family. Being one of 5 kids, my mom received ALL the recipes my grandmother had in her possession, including the fried chicken recipe. Just as Mary said, there’s nothing that brings back the taste of home like the food you ate while growing up. They say the second most memorable sense is taste; I thoroughly believe it. Just as the northerners have New York style pizza and Chicago deep-dish pizza, the south knows how to fry, or grill, some chicken!

I haven’t the faintest idea how the South has accomplished so much in the culinary scheme of the things, but I can tell you that anyone who visits the South will have a totally unique experience to anywhere else on this continent. See for yourself!

Macaroni and Cheese is Life

I do not think I have ever met anyone who doesn't like macaroni and cheese. What is there not to love? You have a casserole full of delicious noodles with hot cheese melted on top. My family has grown up loving macaroni and cheese, especially my mom's. My mom is from the South so she seasons it just right and the noodles are cooked just the way I like it. No matter what you are having for dinner, you can always depend on macaroni and cheese being a great side to your main course. Macaroni and cheese is clearly from the south because the person cooking it has to have a little bit of soul to add the extra "umph" to the dish. If you ever type "soul food" in google images, you can always count on macaroni and cheese being somewhere in the picture. I absolutely love macaroni and cheese.

It's all a Mush!

The first time I ever really experienced Southern culture was just a couple months ago when Atlanta became my new home. The food was something that struck me quite a bit-- everything seemed incredibly "mushy," for lack of a better choice of words. And I noticed there was yummy mushy food, and really yucky mushy food. As far as pleasing to the taste buds and stomach goes, I would dare include the infinite amounts of casseroles the South is so famous--broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, sweet potato, mac and cheese, corn, etc, etc. How could I forget grits? Then there's turkey, and with turkey must come gravy. And with gravy and turkey, there must be mashed potatoes. That was probably one of the best meals I've ever tasted in my entire life here in the States. But then there's the oh-so-not pleasing food, the one that looks to me like a huge pile of mush. Under that category, I'd have to include chicken and dumplings, and the infamous chicken pot pie. The first time I ever tried, I was appalled. There were biscuits, carrots, peas, onions, celery, chicken, sauce, and black pepper-- but that was only what was visible. Who knows what else this had to give it such interesting texture, a mix of dry and wet, of sweet and sour, of warmth and cold. There are no words to describe what I felt with such a tiny a bite, but the memories are alive as could be.
Overall, Southern food never ceases to amaze me. So every time someone asks me for an opinion of this food, I have mixed emotions. I remember the heartwarming bread with a piece of butter melting on top, the cheesy grits and casseroles; but most importantly I remember the atmosphere I ate in-- warm, cozy, relaxing; I guess that's what Southern hospitality is all about. But then I also remember that mush, and that my friends, is of no good. Perhaps one day I'll learn to appreciate chicken pot pie like every one else seems to. But as of right now, I'll stick with the safe side.

Smithfield's Chicken N' Bar-B-Q... the REAL deal

I'm a Carolina Girl (not the college but the state. Don't try to get those mixed up!), and if there is one thing that people from NC like more than ACC basketball, it is Smithfield's Chicken N' Bar-B-Q. Most Southern barbecue sauce is ketchup and molasses based, but carolina barbecue is vinegar and mustard based giving it a less sticky and sweet taste. If you're from North Carolina, or have familiarized yourself with what is the superior Bar-B-Q style in my opinion, you know the place to go is Smithfield's Chicken N' Bar-B-Q. I love Carolina style Bar-B-Q because it reminds me of home and is truly a Southern dish. It gives a uniqueness to the South, especially North Carolina, because you really can't find Carolina Bar-B-Q anywhere else.

Topic #1- Southern food

The South is at times best known for its characteristic selection of food. These foods range for fried chicken to potato salad and even a drink or two such as sweet tea. According to some, the foods that are in this range help to give the south part of its unique identity, that it is something that “Southerners” can take pride in. For this topic, if you have a favorite southern dish, I would like for you to post a picture of it and explain what you like about it and what makes it different from other foods you may have had from other places. Also, briefly describe how it adds to the uniqueness of the South. If you have never had food that you would call a “southern” dish, pick a southern dish that you think looks good and talk about it in terms of “does it add to the uniqueness of the south” or is it just another food?

Finger lickin' good

When talking about the South, some of the first images that come to mind for some people are images of food. When I say food I’m not just talking about any kind of food. I am talking about things such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens. These are all foods that the South is well known for. Many people who are just traveling through Southern states stop at various small town restaurants just to get a taste of this "Southern goodness." You can ask almost anyone who has ever had a "good ole Southern" meal and they would probably tell you just how good it can be.
In addition there are people who have never visited the South that have heard about food here. For example, the other day during a conversation with a girl who had never been south of Tennessee, when told I was from the South, she immediately went to asking about the food we had and if it was as good as people stated. It was then that the realization hit me, Southern food is a good representation of the South.

Soul Food

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about the South is soul food. Whether it is fried chicken and waffles, pig feet or simply Iced Tea, soul food is a great representation of the South. Many people might ask what exactly is soul food? In my opinion, soul food is simply food that can only be found in the South or was originated in the South. Examples of soul food are, of course, fried chicken, collard greens, pig feet, chitlins, sweet iced tea, etc. Normally, families get together and enjoy a delicious meal while sharing memories and simply having a great time. Southern hospitality is also involved with soul food. Food is always served by very friendly people who love to serve others and put a smile on people's faces. Every restaurant that I have visited in the South left a great impression on how people in the South are. The waiters and workers in every restaurant have manners, are very helpful and love to serve me in any way that they can. Anyone that comes to the South will definitely feel welcomed after being served soul food.

Invisible Man

A couple years ago, I began to read what would become one of the most dreaded, yet inspirational books I've ever read--Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. When I think of the South, especially the old South, images of cruelty and injustice are often present. Just like in the book, the people of the South had moments of epiphany in which they realized how important visibility and a civil rights were. They stood up against the government and fought long and hard for a right to have an opinion and be heard. So when I think of the old South, I essentially think of perseverance, hardships, colors, and bloodshed...
In regards to Invisible Man, the narrator remains nameless throughout the entire book, perhaps because he isn't sure of his own identity. Just like many other African-Americans, he is forced to learn where he "belongs" in society; that is, if he even belongs at all. And so begins his eternal spiral literally to hell. Ironically enough, where he lives is extremely well lit, even to the point he dares to compare it to Broadway. But isn't "light" supposed to be pure and refer to heaven? Apparently not. Everything he does is wrong, everything he thinks is criticized. At the turn of every page came another gruesome scene of violence--a fight he had with his own race and plenty of times he was abused by white-folk. Slowly but surely, the narrator realized that no matter what he did to make himself "visible" in a world which considered him nothing more than a walking shadow, he was essentially always going to be something so simple as an invisible man. Multiple times he was chastised by his own "brothers"--those he looked up to, preached for, stood up for; those of the infamous "Brotherhood." All in all, the narrator concludes that he has always been an "invisible man" and so retreats into an underground basement where society can't see him, he can't see society, and the only things that enlighten him are the lightbulbs that shine ever so bright.

Wagon Wheel

I frequently listen to the song "Rock me Mama (Wagon Wheel)" by Old Crow Medicine Show during my trips back to Raleigh, North Carolina (the city happens to be mentioned in the song). "Rock me Mama" depicts a drive through the South and aspects of the South one would come across. Much of the song also deals with the idea of "coming back" to the South after being elsewhere, an idea and action the band experienced. By introducing idea of wanting to mentally or literally return to the South in the lyrics, the song is a representation of southern identity and the lifelong tie southerners feel with the South in general.

Along with the lyrics, the classic string band sound of Old Crow Medicine Show represents a unique southern style of music that many southerners can identify with. While the Bluegrass genre is not popular throughout the entire South, the style often gives a representation of a small, tight-knit sector of the South that is rich in originality through music.

The Phoenix

I found this statue in the middle of Five Points right near Underground Atlanta last semester. The rise of the Phoenix represents the rise of Atlanta after the city wide fires, Sherman's march, and the Civil War.

By placing this statue directly in the heart of Atlanta, a notably southern state most would say, the artist and company supported the rise of Atlanta. Support in the rebirth shows support in the South. This unity and sense of pride reflects and, in a way, represents the majority of the South.