Post #10689 by Swanky on Thu, Oct 10, 2002 1:43 PM

Unless you are from the area, you should not use the "H" word. Just like the "N" word is reserved. No flatlanders may call us Hillbillies.

Being around a lot of Rockabilly folk, we just use the term "Billy."

Now, you must understand that my family came from, and many of them live on, the farm. I have a cousin who built his own log cabin, without electricity and eats what he kills. His home is literally on the mountain and you need a horse, 2 feet or an ATV to get to it. A really good guy. I speak the language. I am fluent in deep Southern. But I have lived in the city for decades and would have, dare I say it, moved to New York or Chicago ages ago wer it not for my daughter.

I know my roots. I don't hate them. But I have moved on.

It is funny to me that there is a very real form of bias around the South. I know many people who would pay more for things if they have to to buy it from a Southerner rather than a Northerner. I don't know if that happens up north, but down South, Yankee is a really negative term. You can live here for 30 years and still be referred to as a Yankee.

But at least I don't live in Arkansas... :)