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my head is spinning at trying to exclude atlanta from "deep south"
If you consider all of Georgia as the Deep South then sure, but this ignores the fundamental differences between the coastal plain South, which was heavily reliant on agriculture and thus slave labor, and the Piedmont/Appalachia which was mostly characterized by poor Scots-Irish farming families with very little in the way of large-scale agriculture. Atlanta's origins comprise another narrative altogether as it was founded by the state of Georgia as an economic venture, namely, a rail hub. It never had many slaves to begin with and after it was burned during the Civil War, it quickly turned to a more industrial-based economy in light of the postbellum "New South" economic model championed by Henry Lee Grady.
In a broad sense Atlanta can be called the Deep South; being situated in the Piedmont, it became a critical commercial hub linking the cotton-producing coastal plain region not just with the Upper South but with large Midwestern markets, and it also attracted African Americans going all the way back to Reconstruction and the early 20th century. But in a strict physiographic and historical sense, Atlanta lies outside of the Deep South.
I am from ENC....definitely the "Deep South" culturally. One caveat though versus true "deep south" states, there is a significant connection to the mid-atlantic/northeast (I-95) given the proximity, it is especially apparent in the African American community as a result of the great migration and family ties. One summer in Brooklyn, Philly or DC with relatives....you'd swear to God everybody thought they were born and raised there. And the ties between Northeastern NC and Tidewater area are just as strong. That said, in my opinion, there is a slight cultural separation between "down" east NC and parts of eastern NC closer to Tidewater area. Both are ag-based environments but downeast NC through eastern SC is definitely ag-based throw back deep south as it gets.
As you can tell, I still adore that area from Grenville, Kinston, New Bern, Jacksonville down through Whiteville, Burgaw, to the Pee Dee River, Florence, Conway, etc...coastal plains.....some of the best southern food you'll find anywhere.
Last edited by Big Aristotle; 07-14-2018 at 07:50 AM..
Oh, please! Putting out a false opinion like this without any facts to support it only shows how wrong you are. The most recent U.S. Census data continues to show that Orange and Durham counties have continued to grow their population this decade and have some of the strongest growth rates in the state despite your "deep gloom" claim. Durham is the sixth most populated county with a growth rate of 13 percent, not far behind Mecklenburg and Wake's strong growth rates. And Orange is ready to pass Randolph County for 20th most populated in the state, needing only fewer than 500 new residents to do so as it grows 6 percent versus Randolph's anemic less than 1 percent. (Source: http://worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/nc/)
Meanwhile, most of Eastern North Carolina's growth has been stagnant or declining this decade, with several losing thousands of residents. Look at Lenoir County (59,495 in 2010 vs. 56,883 in 2017), Bertie (21,282 in 2010 vs. 19,224 in 2017), Northampton (22,099 in 2010 vs. 19,862 in 2017), Halifax (54,691 in 2010 vs. 51,310 in 2017) and Edgecombe (56,552 in 2010 vs. 52,747 in 2017) as examples. (Source: https://www.cleveland.com/datacentra...nationall.html)
You may have a "deep gloom" about how well the progressive politics are faring in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Durham, but you're ignoring the reality that businesses and population are booming there, especially compared to eastern NC. The "anti-business" mindset you claim is somehow bringing in new business construction to these downtowns that most other municipalities in eastern NC would kill to have, and plans for improving regional transit make both areas look even more promising. You have a diversified economy in the cities with education, health, research and other sectors going strong. At the same time, housing prices keep rising as many people flock to the cities with their fine assortment of parks, cultural attractions, artistic events and other amenities you'd be hard pressed to find in much of Eastern North Carolina.
Sorry if you don't like Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Durham. But don't claim they're "constraining freedom" and anti-business when the truth shows it is the opposite. I do think it's unfair to compare it with Eastern North Carolina, which has its own set of challenges as do other areas that I would agree comprise part of the "Deep South." But you shouldn't denigrate a successful part of the state when discussing this topic at hand, unless you want to weaken your argument.
Hey now....don't you go using logic and facts to nullify Backwoods' rambling nonsensical rant!
If you consider all of Georgia as the Deep South then sure, but this ignores the fundamental differences between the coastal plain South, which was heavily reliant on agriculture and thus slave labor, and the Piedmont/Appalachia which was mostly characterized by poor Scots-Irish farming families with very little in the way of large-scale agriculture. Atlanta's origins comprise another narrative altogether as it was founded by the state of Georgia as an economic venture, namely, a rail hub. It never had many slaves to begin with and after it was burned during the Civil War, it quickly turned to a more industrial-based economy in light of the postbellum "New South" economic model championed by Henry Lee Grady.
In a broad sense Atlanta can be called the Deep South; being situated in the Piedmont, it became a critical commercial hub linking the cotton-producing coastal plain region not just with the Upper South but with large Midwestern markets, and it also attracted African Americans going all the way back to Reconstruction and the early 20th century. But in a strict physiographic and historical sense, Atlanta lies outside of the Deep South.
I think this is a great perspective on Atlanta's position as a Piedmont city within Georgia, a predominantly Deep South state. It would be hard to claim that Atlanta is not influenced by the Deep South, but I think its primary identity is derived from historically being a rail and logistical hub as Mutiny mentioned.
I am from ENC....definitely the "Deep South" culturally. One caveat though versus true "deep south" states, there is a significant connection to the mid-atlantic/northeast (I-95) given the proximity, it is especially apparent in the African American community as a result of the great migration and family ties. One summer in Brooklyn, Philly or DC with relatives....you'd swear to God everybody thought they were born and raised there. And the ties between Northeastern NC and Tidewater area are just as strong. That said, in my opinion, there is a slight cultural separation between "down" east NC and parts of eastern NC closer to Tidewater area. Both are ag-based environments but downeast NC through eastern SC is definitely ag-based throw back deep south as it gets.
As you can tell, I still adore that area from Grenville, Kinston, New Bern, Jacksonville down through Whiteville, Burgaw, to the Pee Dee River, Florence, Conway, etc...coastal plains.....some of the best southern food you'll find anywhere.
I think this is a great perspective on Atlanta's position as a Piedmont city within Georgia, a predominantly Deep South state. It would be hard to claim that Atlanta is not influenced by the Deep South, but I think its primary identity is derived from historically being a rail and logistical hub as Mutiny mentioned.
its a long comment that just boiled down to "didnt have farms"
it was important in the civil war for the confederacy
sherman razed it
it had slaves
what else do you want for deep south
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