Alabama and Buckingham Nicks

[vivfox]

A Connecticut radio DJ was talking about the cruise ship with the problems finally docking on land in Mobile, Alabama. He went on to joke that this would be the only time people would celebrate being in Alabama.

Woah oh Black Betty, ram a lam.

[Lilyfan]

Originally Posted by vivfox

A Connecticut radio DJ was talking about the cruise ship with the problems finally docking on land in Mobile, Alabama. He went on to joke that this would be the only time people would celebrate being in Alabama.

Woah oh Black Betty, ram a lam.

That DJ apparently doesn't realize that American Mardi Gras celebration originated in Mobile, AL.

[holidayroad]

I wish I had better things to say about Alabama. I live there now. I am originally from Kentucky. KY isn't much better. Cross a bridge and I would have been in Ohio (a far better place to live, IMHO).

It's likely that the bigger cities in AL are great places to live. Unfortunately, I'm in a rural part of AL. People here are very closed minded. If you are not into Christianity, you are made to feel very unwelcome.

[Lilyfan]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

I wish I had better things to say about Alabama. I live there now. I am originally from Kentucky. KY isn't much better. Cross a bridge and I would have been in Ohio (a far better place to live, IMHO).

It's likely that the bigger cities in AL are great places to live. Unfortunately, I'm in a rural part of AL. People here are very closed minded. If you are not into Christianity, you are made to feel very unwelcome.

You're right you would probably feel more comfortable in a bigger city. I'm Jewish and I'm very open with my faith. I understand how it can be more difficult in areas where the population is not as dense and everyone knows everyone else. That's a throwback to an earlier time when people would use familial pressure to force conformity. Luckily you are able to express yourself online, it helps mitigate the feelings of isolation.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by Lilyfan

You're right you would probably feel more comfortable in a bigger city. I'm Jewish and I'm very open with my faith. I understand how it can be more difficult in areas where the population is not as dense and everyone knows everyone else. That's a throwback to an earlier time when people would use familial pressure to force conformity. Luckily you are able to express yourself online, it helps mitigate the feelings of isolation.

Yes, the pressure to conform here is major. My husband is originally from here. That's how I ended up here. His family (like most here) are very 'God-fearing'.

I don't really care what people here think of me. I just worry that they will mistreat our son just because his parents are 'not like everyone else'.

[JamieSPC]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

I wish I had better things to say about Alabama. I live there now. I am originally from Kentucky. KY isn't much better. Cross a bridge and I would have been in Ohio (a far better place to live, IMHO).

It's likely that the bigger cities in AL are great places to live. Unfortunately, I'm in a rural part of AL. People here are very closed minded. If you are not into Christianity, you are made to feel very unwelcome.

I'm not picking on you... but this is a great example of what I'm talking about. The exact thing you said is true of rural areas in any state, but because it's Alabama (or Kentucky, or whatever state you want to pick where perception is reality), people don't find it hard to believe.

I just got back from California... spent almost a week in the central valley. It's redder than red. But because of LA, SF, SD, the perception is the whole state is blue. In fact, the vast majority of rural residents of CA resent—even despise—the coastal cities and their voting propensities. In fact, I've never been more uncomfortable than when I traveled last year to rural Minnesota; my borrowed car had an Obama sticker on the back and more often than not I was not just asked, but confronted about it. I've never had that happen in Alabama.

This country is a very homogeneous culture... it's the same all over. The real divide is urban and rural, and it's true no matter where you are.

[I'msoAfraid95]

I'm from rural part of Georgia, and despite it being similiar to rural Bama, folks here are kinda open minded. Now we so gossip and you learn whats going on round town by going church.

[Lilyfan]

Originally Posted by JamieSPC

This country is a very homogeneous culture... it's the same all over. The real divide is urban and rural, and it's true no matter where you are.

That's true.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by JamieSPC

I'm not picking on you... but this is a great example of what I'm talking about. The exact thing you said is true of rural areas in any state, but because it's Alabama (or Kentucky, or whatever state you want to pick where perception is reality), people don't find it hard to believe.

I just got back from California... spent almost a week in the central valley. It's redder than red. But because of LA, SF, SD, the perception is the whole state is blue. In fact, the vast majority of rural residents of CA resent—even despise—the coastal cities and their voting propensities. In fact, I've never been more uncomfortable than when I traveled last year to rural Minnesota; my borrowed car had an Obama sticker on the back and more often than not I was not just asked, but confronted about it. I've never had that happen in Alabama.

This country is a very homogeneous culture... it's the same all over. The real divide is urban and rural, and it's true no matter where you are.

I definitely don't feel like you are picking on me. I have been to a lot of states in the U.S. and I can agree (mostly) that people in rural areas tend to have a more narrow mindset.

Still, when I lived in KY, I knew plenty of people from rural areas and plenty of people who were Christians. It just seems that the people here in rural AL take Christianity Extremely Seriously. People expect everyone to be in a church every time the doors are opened. They can act very scary toward people who don't see religion the way they do.

[JamieSPC]

Originally Posted by holidayroad

I definitely don't feel like you are picking on me. I have been to a lot of states in the U.S. and I can agree (mostly) that people in rural areas tend to have a more narrow mindset.

Still, when I lived in KY, I knew plenty of people from rural areas and plenty of people who were Christians. It just seems that the people here in rural AL take Christianity Extremely Seriously. People expect everyone to be in a church every time the doors are opened. They can act very scary toward people who don't see religion the way they do.

Totally agree with all of that...no question.

I'm really lucky in that I have lived in Birmingham for most of my life now, and while I am a Christian, I have a great, inclusive church. We even have used some Fleetwood Mac music from time to time (Don't Stop a lot, Landslide a couple of times).

Birmingham overall is a great town, having emerged from is racially divided past in a way that many notorious northern towns (Chicago and Boston come to mind) have yet to do. Like anywhere, we're not satisfied with where we are culturally, but we are close.

And really, besides all the BN connections here (and the relative ease of finding a copy of the album)... Birmingham is worth a visit just to eat. Some of the finest restaurants in the world here, from low-priced barbecue to fine dining. I've seen lists that put the city as the best or one of the best places to eat anywhere.

[holidayroad]

Originally Posted by JamieSPC

Totally agree with all of that...no question.

I'm really lucky in that I have lived in Birmingham for most of my life now, and while I am a Christian, I have a great, inclusive church. We even have used some Fleetwood Mac music from time to time (Don't Stop a lot, Landslide a couple of times).

You have an interesting church with accepting members ! It's definitely a major difference from when my (now passed on) very religious mother in law complained to my mother over the phone that I had a picture of 'that witch' on my wall. The picture of 'that witch' was my poster from The Dance!!

Originally Posted by JamieSPC

And really, besides all the BN connections here (and the relative ease of finding a copy of the album)... Birmingham is worth a visit just to eat. Some of the finest restaurants in the world here, from low-priced barbecue to fine dining. I've seen lists that put the city as the best or one of the best places to eat anywhere.

I have only had the chance to visit Birmingham once, but it definitely looks like somewhere that I'd want to see more of!