I grew up in Massachusetts and spent a lot of time in California. I never imagined I would fall in love with Virginia. I had been taught things about Southern states. They are true and yet not true. But this place, this country, to me, is still worth fighting for.
Virginia is magical, and I would argue, a little different culturally than the other Southern states (except maybe North Carolina). The really bad stuff isn't as bad here, and we can still get Democrats elected statewide. Virginia also has a more "establishment" orientation and character. I think it's because we started as a Crown colony, so the Anglican church was the dominant religious force in this state for a long time. Then Norfolk and DC oriented us to the federal government and the wider world. Virginia has always had a spirit of innovation and change, and I think it's done us good.
I also want to say, personally, how much I appreciate your ability to move beyond your bias towards Southerners. When I moved to DC, I was shocked at how people treated me once they heard my accent -- one of the reasons I lost it. It's honestly a problem that needs to be dealt with if we ever want to make headway in the region. People don't want to talk to folks who hold them in contempt, and there are plenty of working class folks who we could get on our side with a little shift in attitude.
Thanks for the Prowalk tour site. Just the soother I’ll view at end of day✌🏻
It’s so awesome, Elizabeth. I love sharing ProWalks with others. There are some stunning evening walks. I highly recommend the evening tour of Venice!
I grew up in Massachusetts and spent a lot of time in California. I never imagined I would fall in love with Virginia. I had been taught things about Southern states. They are true and yet not true. But this place, this country, to me, is still worth fighting for.
Virginia is magical, and I would argue, a little different culturally than the other Southern states (except maybe North Carolina). The really bad stuff isn't as bad here, and we can still get Democrats elected statewide. Virginia also has a more "establishment" orientation and character. I think it's because we started as a Crown colony, so the Anglican church was the dominant religious force in this state for a long time. Then Norfolk and DC oriented us to the federal government and the wider world. Virginia has always had a spirit of innovation and change, and I think it's done us good.
I also want to say, personally, how much I appreciate your ability to move beyond your bias towards Southerners. When I moved to DC, I was shocked at how people treated me once they heard my accent -- one of the reasons I lost it. It's honestly a problem that needs to be dealt with if we ever want to make headway in the region. People don't want to talk to folks who hold them in contempt, and there are plenty of working class folks who we could get on our side with a little shift in attitude.