The author of this article doesn’t have access to Substack (our hosting service) to reply to your comment. I am the chief-editor J.R. Dunmore.
With all due respect, the institution of slavery (which was present all over North and South America as well as the Caribbean at various places and times from 1492 (Columbus made use of native slaves on his expeditions) up until 1888 when Brazil finally outlawed the practice) was not the deciding factor that influenced Southern culture.
If slavery was what made the South a unique culture, you would expect to find the same cultural disposition in places as disparate as Brazil in 1880, Brooklyn, New York in 1790 (in which was 32% of the population was enslaved in 1790 and didn’t end the practice of the institution until 1827), and New Spain (Mexico) in 1520.
Yet, none of those places resemble the American South at the time they practiced slavery or in the modern day.
As far as I can tell, Mr. McCubbin is getting at something culturally that is independent of the practice of slavery, or the scars that it left behind.
It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the distinctiveness of the South would appear to be disappearing into the monoculture of big cities and mass media consumption. Preserving and reinvigorating the “True South” as I call it, is the purpose of this magazine. So I would encourage you to give Mr. McCubbin a chance and hear what he has to say.
Feel free to fact check all of my claims. I don’t make a habit of lying or exaggeration, and if you find a discrepancy, know that it is in good faith.
The author of this article doesn’t have access to Substack (our hosting service) to reply to your comment. I am the chief-editor J.R. Dunmore.
With all due respect, the institution of slavery (which was present all over North and South America as well as the Caribbean at various places and times from 1492 (Columbus made use of native slaves on his expeditions) up until 1888 when Brazil finally outlawed the practice) was not the deciding factor that influenced Southern culture.
If slavery was what made the South a unique culture, you would expect to find the same cultural disposition in places as disparate as Brazil in 1880, Brooklyn, New York in 1790 (in which was 32% of the population was enslaved in 1790 and didn’t end the practice of the institution until 1827), and New Spain (Mexico) in 1520.
Yet, none of those places resemble the American South at the time they practiced slavery or in the modern day.
As far as I can tell, Mr. McCubbin is getting at something culturally that is independent of the practice of slavery, or the scars that it left behind.
It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the distinctiveness of the South would appear to be disappearing into the monoculture of big cities and mass media consumption. Preserving and reinvigorating the “True South” as I call it, is the purpose of this magazine. So I would encourage you to give Mr. McCubbin a chance and hear what he has to say.
Feel free to fact check all of my claims. I don’t make a habit of lying or exaggeration, and if you find a discrepancy, know that it is in good faith.
Have a blessed day. J.R. Dunmore, EIC