I'm planning to begin a nursing career in the fall of 2007 (accl. BSN program) and was wondering about something. I have a STRONG southern accent. I'm not ashamed of it, I love my accent. I had no idea I even had one until I was 16 and while on a trip to California some people let me know. The question I have is could I anticipate any issues or trouble with my accent? Also, and PLEASE be honest, it won't hurt my feelings (much =) but what would your reaction be if you are from a place where southern accents are not common and heard your nurse have a twang to the voice?
I work in the healthcare industry and deal with RNs, Quality Improvement personnel, Administrators, Drug Reps, etc on a daily basis and most of the ladies (99% of the people I work with are female) don't seem to mind. However, I feel like a few are looking down their respective nose at me while I talk. I even had a person who thought they were on mute one time say to a group I was on a conference call with "this guy from KEN-tucky thinks he's going to teach us something". One of those real sarcastic tones. I rolled my eyes and smiled because I knew they were the ones making an a$$ out of themselves.
I'm already somewhat apprehensive about being a guy in this profession and fighting off sterotypes. I had never given much thought to any preconceived notions about my my voice though. Will I have another sterotype to deal with? Honestly, what do you think when you hear a guy (or a lady) with a southern accent? Please don't think we're dumb....
Any feedback or commentary would be greatly appreciated!
I didn't know that this thread was about rascism. I thought it was about southern accents. If people want to equate rascism with the south, well, THAT seems to be narrow minded and bigoted. I have lived all over this country....north, south, and west. Trust me, the south does not hold a monopoly on rascism. It is the stereotyping that keeps the myth alive.
People who criticize the south do as much flame fanning than any redneck ever could.
No, this thread wasn't about racism, but I made it about that. And again, as I've said many times before, you're from the South, and I'm talking about people that you may or may not be like. That's why you feel the need to defend it. And sorry to inform you, but my life is not based on stereotypes. This is my experience I'm going on. I know that racist exist everywhere. The racism is more evident in the Northeast in my opinion. But, I'm talking about the Bible-thumpers of the South. Such hypocrites.
No, this thread wasn't about racism, but I made it about that.
I think that is against the TOS....if not, then it is bad manners.
You have made generalizations about an entire region of the country and whether you realize or like it, are as close minded as the ones you look down on. You make multiple references to 'the south'....not to hypocrites and racism in general. I think that you may benefit in turning some of that self righteous thinking inward.
I am defensive not because "the shoe fits" or because I associate with racists, but because you have insulted my home. That is only natural.
I am done with this discussion. This thread needs to be closed.
I don't care how you feel about me calling people in the South racist. I call it how I see it. You may not want to acknowledge it, or you may not know. I mean, if you're not black or hispanic, you probably haven't experienced it. You may have even perpetuated it and didn't realize it. After all, racism is passed down from generation to generation. So some people may have been raised that way and not realize they are not supposed to be that way. But the truth be told, when the day is over, my family and I have experienced a lot of bigotry in my short life. And a lot of it has come from the so-called right-wing conservative Christian society of the South. So, it is a big deal to me and I feel like talking about it. If you haven't been one to be racist, then you shouldn't feel the need to defend the people I am referring to. It just makes me suspect that you have held some beliefs that you, a southerner are not as tolerant to certain groups of people as you should be. I know you may be saying, "How in the world did it come to this topic?" Well, when I hear a southern accent, it just reminds me of so many that choose to not like others because they are different.
Are there racists in other parts of the U.S.? Of course, there are plenty. But do they claim to be the Bible Belt? Nope.
You lived in the south and were treated badly by some group of people - therefore everyone in the South is a racist? That's right up there with someone getting mugged by an African-American and then steadfastly defending the idea that "they are all criminals." And then you claim that if you are a decent person and are from the South, you are somehow an exception and should just ignore your other labels? Beautiful. Right out of the "Archie Bunker" school of equality. Even more amazing is your statement, "... it just reminds me of so many that choose to not like others because they are different." Yet, somehow it's ok to paint people as religious hypocrites and racists just because they're from the South?
Let me refer you to something called, "Terms of Service". There, you will find this little gem regarding your stupefying generalizations of anyone from the South:
"Hate Speech and Inappropriate Generalizations
It is important to remember that this bulletin board reaches out to nurses and other readers all over the world. Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. Because of this, discrimination, racial vilification and offensive generalisations targeting people of other races, religions and/or nationalities will not be tolerated." https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/allnurses-com-terms-service-welcome-all-members-please-read-31788.html
Oh.. by the way... "Bible Belt" was a term coined by H.L. Mencken. Like you, he held the South as a place peopled by hayseeds, yokels, and morons. So it's a term of derision and not one born out of self proclamation. I would suggest that you and he would have been friends, except that he was equally contemptuous of stupid people.
You lived in the south and were treated badly by some group of people - therefore everyone in the South is a racist? That's right up there with someone getting mugged by an African-American and then steadfastly defending the idea that "they are all criminals." And then you claim that if you are a decent person and are from the South, you are somehow an exception and should just ignore your other labels? Beautiful. Right out of the "Archie Bunker" school of equality. Even more amazing is your statement, "... it just reminds me of so many that choose to not like others because they are different." Yet, somehow it's ok to paint people as religious hypocrites and racists just because they're from the South?
Let me refer you to something called, "Terms of Service". There, you will find this little gem regarding your stupefying generalizations of anyone from the South:
"Hate Speech and Inappropriate Generalizations
It is important to remember that this bulletin board reaches out to nurses and other readers all over the world. Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. Because of this, discrimination, racial vilification and offensive generalisations targeting people of other races, religions and/or nationalities will not be tolerated." https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/allnurses-com-terms-service-welcome-all-members-please-read-31788.html
Oh.. by the way... "Bible Belt" was a term coined by H.L. Mencken. Like you, he held the South as a place peopled by hayseeds, yokels, and morons. So it's a term of derision and not one born out of self proclamation. I would suggest that you and he would have been friends, except that he was equally contemptuous of stupid people.
I had a long post in response to this... my wee one was playing with the mouse and lost it.... I am sorry that you feel the way that you do about everyone from the south... to each their own. Now, I'm gonna bail my... poor, hillbilly, Native American, Black boyfriend dating , female a** out of this. Have a wonderful day.
Oh.. by the way... "Bible Belt" was a term coined by H.L. Mencken. Like you, he held the South as a place peopled by hayseeds, yokels, and morons. So it's a term of derision and not one born out of self proclamation. I would suggest that you and he would have been friends, except that he was equally contemptuous of stupid people.
It is indeed against the TOS to hijack a thread. It is also a violation to engage in repeated bashing of ANY particular group.
"Hate Speech and Inappropriate Generalizations
It is important to remember that this bulletin board reaches out to nurses and other readers all over the world. Our call is to be supportive, not divisive. Because of this, discrimination, racial vilification and offensive generalisations targeting people of other races, religions and/or nationalities will not be tolerated." https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/allnu...ead-31788.html
As ironic as it might seem, a steady stream of derogatory messages about those who act in a bigoted manner falls under the category of offensive generalizations.
Trouble generally results when the focus becomes the PEOPLE rather than the behavior.
This thread will be shut down pending staff review.
OliveVinesRN
100 Posts
No, this thread wasn't about racism, but I made it about that. And again, as I've said many times before, you're from the South, and I'm talking about people that you may or may not be like. That's why you feel the need to defend it. And sorry to inform you, but my life is not based on stereotypes. This is my experience I'm going on. I know that racist exist everywhere. The racism is more evident in the Northeast in my opinion. But, I'm talking about the Bible-thumpers of the South. Such hypocrites.