vaughn may (vmay@utm.edu) from acathrinecarls.utm.edu at 10/27/97 11:16AM
comment
    I would like to respond to two of my finest students. In reponse to Jesse: I very much agree. The South has a long tradition of anti-intellectualism. George Wallace drew some of his loudest applause when he raved about "pointed-headed, briefcase-totin' professors" that did nothing but preach "communistic" ideas. Perhaps that's why today we see very few highly ranked, first tier universities in the Deep South. (The region's best universities, in my opinion are in the Peripheral South e.g.- Virginia, North Carolina, Duke etc.) I do agree that the region is on its way to solving some of these educational problems. By the way, I like the label "infamous." I also agree with Angela. There does seem to be a common courtesy and politeness in the region that is uncommon elsewhere. (For a simple example, notice how many strangers will talk to you in the grocery store line). Angela, is this our southern bias at work here? )