It's really rare that you come across a Southern character that's not stereotyped, vilified or aggrandized.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
You know, I'm from the South, and I wasn't interested in perpetuating a stereotypical southern character.
I think we Southerners have talked a fair amount of malarkey about the mystique of being Southern.
I remember when I was growing up and watching southern people depicted on television, I thought, 'Well, based on what I'm seeing, I guess I'm supposed to be stupid and racist.' It's still, sadly, the easy route for a writer to go.
Southern food certainly carries a stereotype, but I feel like that's turning around a little. There are great Southern chefs who are finding ways to showcase our traditional recipes in deliciously healthy ways. For me, the key is to use fresh fruits and vegetables and cut some of the butter and fat without sacrificing the yumminess of the dish.
Southerners are also like ethnic groups in that they have a sense of group identity.
There's something sort of intrinsic in being a Southerner that doesn't go away. You can't get rid of it, but it's not something that's terribly obvious.
Southern people are bigger-hearted and kinder than I had any right to expect.
You know, a lot of those angry sort of Southern man characters that I've been doing are based on different people I might've had as, like, a soccer coach or as a teacher.
I, on the other hand, have a bit of a southern accent.
There's no such thing as being too Southern.