I am from central Maine originally and had lived all of my life somewhere in New England. My father’s family was of the Penobscot tribe and were definately people of the land. My mother’s family was a typical large New England family with 12 children. The small town that I grew up in had a total population of under 300. I grew up where everyone in town knew your name and your parent’s name. We also were use to the tourists coming to visit in the summer and fall to see the leaves change color.

I had thought after moving to the “big” city (Boston), I had a pretty broad perception of people and cultures. I was about to find out that I was completely wrong.

Three years ago I moved to Florida. The small town which I moved to made me feel at home. With only a couple of paved roads, a gas station, post office and small roller rink, I felt completely at home. That was until I signed my children up for school and was called a northerner immediately. Feeling a bit shocked at the term at first, I did not give it more than a quick thought. When school started and my then 9 year old son came home from school one day having his glasses broke. It seems some kids were having a problem with my son’s accent.

Over the course of the past three years, I have seen more racial prejudice, religious prejudice, and cultural prejudice than I have ever experienced in my life. Having not been brought up where those around me have a judgement issue with people that were not born and bred white christian southern reared persons. The prejudice is so much more than north and south. Although, I still find it difficult to have discussions with people who wave a confederate flag in my face and loudly proclaim that I can not possibly understand southern issues.

I am not part of the the chrisitian, bible thumping sect being Pagan and have found more religious biased slurs directed towards me for the first time in my life. I am not southern Native American and have had racial slurs directed at me. I am also one that has a ‘funny’ accent causing northern slurs thrown at me.

I understand people who say that the northerners seem to be aloof and unfriendly. Having grown up there I know that locals are private people who do not socialize with others outside their common neighborhoods easily. I also know the downeast dry wit and sarcasm are not understood by others. I also know that many of the customs and ways of the north are mis understood just as many customs and ways of the south are mis understood. However, my experience is that the over all society of the south is much easier biased and prejudice against outsiders than the north. The major difference is that southern customs of dignified and proper answers makes it seem on the facade exterior they are friendly.

This is just an observation and not based on anything other than my own personal experience.