Howdy Ya'll

I never listened to country music...until I came to Texas. 

Personally, I prefer the classic rock and alternative/punk genre so coming to a place where country is constantly played was definitely something I had to try and adjust to (I don't even think that I have adjusted to it completely). I know many people listen to country whether they live in the south or not, but I felt that my St.Louis friends and I didn't  consider listening to country music on a day to day basis. 

My first experience with country music at TCU was when my sorority was participating in Pi Kapp Push, a philanthropy focusing on the Push America organization. Our theme was Pat Green. When I found this out I had no idea who Pat Green was. When I asked around I got reactions such as "Are you joking?" or "How do you not know who that is?"

When I tell people that I'm not particularly a fan of the country genre many people look at me as if I were crazy. I don't like this type of music because I feel that the majority of songs are created in a cheesy way and the lyrics seem to be very repetitive. Most country music also has that stereotypical twang  that I don't think is pleasing to the ear. Yes, I could name a handful of country tunes that I enjoy listening to, but that's about it.  I would have to say that one of the characteristics of country music I do like is that they are always great songs to sing to!

Country Artists I Like:

Faith Hill

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Keith Urban

The Wreckers

I also feel that the whole "country image" that comes with the genre is a little dramatic. The cowboy hat, cowboy boots and wranglers seems to be a little over the top. I will say that I feel that there are many upcoming country musicians that are crossing over to the country/pop or country/rock genre. I feel that these areas are much more appealing to audiences, such as myself, who are hesitant to listen to the country genre as a whole. 

I know there are many who would probably disagree with me, but these are just my personal views on the country music industry. This topic is yet another difference I have found while living in Fort Worth  in comparison to St.Louis. 

Racism in the South

I thought this would be a good topic to discuss considering the most recent events that have happened through out Texas concerning our newly elected president, Barack Obama. I believe that I have been raised in a household where racism was not and is not tolerated. I believe that every person should be judged by their qualities as a person not by their skin color. That being said, it was quit a shock to come to a southern conservative school and be surrounded by others views and opinions. I'm not trying to bash students at TCU, but I feel that this has been one of the bigger differences between living in the midwest and living in the south.

There have been recent news reports about Baylor students hanging nooses on trees around campus to protest Obama's win for presidency. I was mortified when I heard this. NEWS FLASH PEOPLE: WE'RE NOT LIVING IN THE 1800s!  That gesture those students showed was so disrespectful that I would personally be embarrassed if I went to that school. I've heard many students across TCU's campus say derogatory comments about Obama and about African Americans in general. As my granny would always say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Once I came to TCU I felt that many people used the "N" word more often then I had ever heard before. I immediately would tell that person that that's a rude word to use in any way shape or form. They would then look at me like I was crazy. I have seen many confederate flags hanging from fraternity houses or even on flag poles with in many areas of Texas. Everyone knows that that flag symbolizes slavery and the power of the white person. That blew my mind. It just seems that many people in the south don't feel that there are quality individuals in the world that are also black. 

Some of my best friends growing up were black and some of the smartest people I know are black. So why do people still view them by their skin color? I've tried to hold conversations with some of my friends (specifically guys) asking why southerners have these types of views and the only answer they were able to give me was, "That's how we've been raised". Now obviously this problem should be addressed in many southern households, but to me, I feel that young adults (such as college students) are old enough to create their own outlooks on life. I would hope that these outlooks we be positive and realize that racist comments are no longer tolerated in the world we live in today. 

Do I believe there are black people that are destroying the world we live in today? Yes. Do I believe that there are white people that are destroying the world we live in today? Yes. 

It's not about skin color, but about the individual's character that is potentially making the world a better place (or not) that needs to be recognized.