Since I first started writing about the Carolinas in the second half of the 1990s, the the population of South Carolina has swollen like a snakebitten ankle.
The best of the new arrivals hereabouts realize that in moving to South Carolina, they are moving to one of the most unique states in the Union. As many in our culture cry for us all to "celebrate diversity," these people are moving to South Carolina from other (usually northern, sometimes western) climes to do just that--enjoy the unique culture of South Carolina, on South Carolina's own terms. These people I call the Deep Southers. They accept and perhaps enjoy the fact that in moving to South Carolina, they are moving to The South, a part of America unlike any other. Even more, they realize that they are moving to the Deep South, to a part of the South quite different in its history, identity, and affinities than, say, West Virginia or Kentucky—which, in their northernmost reaches and larger cities, might as well be Pennsylvania or Ohio.
The sharpest of the Deep Southers realize that they are also moving to The Old South, the part of the South originally settled by the British in the 1600s, long before the soils wore out and plantation owners moved their homes and slaves (in the early 1800s) to the “New South” or “Old Southwest”—states like Alabama, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas. Ever wonder why every famous Tennessean President was originally born in the Carolinas? Ever wonder why so many native South Carolinians (including commanding officer William Barrett Travis, and heroic messenger John Bonham) died at the Alamo? Now you know.
And any good Deep Souther knows that in moving to South Carolina, they are moving to the intellectual and cultural heart of the antebellum South. Charleston was the Southern Boston, though most good Charlestonians might see that as an insult. And Columbia and Charleston were the hotbeds of the secession movement, the spots where—respectively—where the Secession was born, and later, where the War Between the States began. This was no happenstance. Had California seceded from America in 1969 and the first shots had been fired in San Francisco Harbor, it would have happened there—and not in, say, Newport Beach, or Santa Barbara. Columbia was a special target of Sherman in his march across Carolina, and for a reason.
The Sunbelters
The Sunbelters move to South Carolina principally because 1) the weather's warmer, 2) they can usually move up, housewise, 3) their own hometown has become too crime-ridden to retire in, and 4) their parents' generation has already ruined Florida.
Some of these people are very nice, but they accomplish the unique feat of acting the part of The Ugly American right here in America. They rail against Blue Laws and laugh at the natives' accents, dress, politics, and courtesies. They make no effort to learn how South Carolina views itself and its history...the worst of them, rather, feel that it is their job to enlighten the natives on How Things Really Are.
People can do what they want, obviously. There are people who would colonize the Moon and immediately complain about the lack of cable TV. But the homogenization of South Carolina into "mainstream American culture" is a mixed blessing, at best. Yes, it's nice to see racism and chainsmoking disappearing from the scene. It's good to see land conservation and mixed-use developments on the rise--especially as they help protect some of South Carolina's most notable traits--its wildlife and abundance of natural environments, and its strong sense of community (something that has been largely lost by many of the Northern-style mega-developments with their senselessly winding, sidewalkless streets--or Courts, Vistas, Lanes--and crowded with the sound of rider mowers, leaf blowers, and the groan of electric garage doors lifting to swallow yet another minivan.
Wow. This is leaning towards a rant. Forgive me. What was I saying? Oh yes--many non-Carolinians are bringing in some good ideas, and some much needed perspective on the preciousness of open space and community. But if you're moving to Mexico, learn Spanish. Learn the Feast Days. Study some Mexican history. Anyone who didn't do this would be considered a dolt.
So let's give South Carolina the same respect. This isn't just another part of the U.S., this is South Carolina, founded 1670, with a proud history and strong sense of itself and a STATE (think Austria, Switzerland), not just one of "the states." Anyone who has lived here six months and doesn't know the difference between Beach Music and the Beach Boys, and can't roughly sketch out Sherman's path through Carolina in '65 should be summarily deported to Ohio. (Which is probably where they came from, anyway.)
Love, Mercy and Sweet Tea
Mike
