The vindictive attacks on the South and her history are nothing new. For generations, Southerners have been chastised and ostracized by mainstream politics, media, and academia. For just as long, many Northerners have been convinced of Yankee lies and propaganda concerning the War for Southern Independence, its causes, and “Proposition Nation-Righteous Cause” puffery. This extended itself into all subsequent history and for the last 120 years, Northerners swallowed the historical and industrial-media narrative, with little question. However, the long-term side effects of the Yankee potion seem to finally be wearing off.
In recent years many Northerners have begun to question established historical narratives and are reconsidering their present and historical reality. This is especially true of those in the Midwestern and Plains states that have since had their backs stabbed by Northeastern and Coastal elites who promised one thing and have since delivered something else. For the first time in recent history, non-southern Americans are experiencing what the Southland has felt for over 160 years. The accelerated rate at which cancel-culture, Bolshevik-influenced Critical Race Theory, anti-Christian sentiment, and the condemnation of traditional value systems are moving have opened the eyes of many northern Americans. The “pandemic” forced many of their eyes open and allowed them to awaken from their slumber.
Let me be clear that the vast majority of Northerners should not unilaterally be classified as “Yankees”. While many hold scattered opinions of concepts and ideas that stem from Yankee thought, most would not wholeheartedly support the Yankee Creed as expressed in places like Boston or Philadelphia.
It is also important to state that this is occurring at a populist level. The factory workers, farmers, middle-class families, and the common man have experienced an awakening and are more attuned to what Richard Weaver called the “Great Stereopticon”. The folks in “fly over country” are primed for alternatives. However, the academic establishment and leadership in northern states remains too dense to see the writing on the wall.
There has been some movement within the mainstream and without our current president and the people he has surrounded himself with, this would not have occurred. While Trump is honestly a 1940s Democrat and not all that conservative, he has successfully moved the Overton Window in the right direction; and for all intents and purposes, many of the things that were considered politically “off the table” ten years ago are now being discussed by influential and mainstream figures. Some of these “off the table” aspects are reminiscent of the southern tradition and hold lots of promise. The issue is that you still have a bunch of Yankee elites in charge, trying to figure out what it is they believe and decipher aspects of a tradition they do not understand. It is going to take a populist movement led by informed southern patriots to aid any meaningful incorporation of the southern tradition into the larger American political consciousness. The last national appeal to the southern tradition as a political alternative was George Wallace’s 1968 campaign in which he garnered vast support across the country, regardless of region and won the largest percentage of an independent candidate since 1912; with 46 electoral college votes. Many northerners agreed with Wallace’s positions and adored his honest charisma and plain speech. Wallace was a populist, and a principled one at that.
We find ourselves in a similar historical moment, where the common American has felt the grip of iron in Washington enough to spur him beyond general dissatisfaction, but to righteous anger. The removal of historical monuments and memorials, the “Summer of Love” in 2020, the draconian pandemic laws, the domestic terrorism by gender dysphoric teenagers, and the total unwavering support of the Left and apathetic attempts to oppose these movements within the establishment Right have given many a supposed “Yankee” a reason to try a rebel yell for once. Simply put, people are fed up with the nonsense. The difference is that the 21st century provides easier access to ideas and learning than folks had in 1968. Ideas and movements flow faster than they did in the analog era.
The ground is arable and an array of Americans outside of the South have decided the current system “ain’t gonna” work any longer and are eager to find alternative ways to restore our republic. The question is: will these disaffected northerners adopt the southern tradition? There are many competing alternatives being discussed and some are less helpful than others or are simply not native to these shores. If their ears are so inclined, we should welcome these awakened northerners who are willing to hear our alternative or have already subscribed to it. It is crucial we garner non-southern support nationwide, while still maintaining the southern character and qualities of the tradition. Besides, the southern tradition is the American tradition.
The views expressed at AbbevilleInstitute.org are not necessarily those of the Abbeville Institute.
DJT is the consummate yankee. Even he is sick of the oppressive fedgov forced on the States by lincolon. The war against the Communist Atheists started in 1848…it has not been settled yet, though the CAs lose every place CA is practiced…even in CA.
The former controllers of the narrative have lost control. The covid scam was the best thing to happen to the people since the Bill of Rights. Everyone is noticing.
I agree. Also, it is correct that there is a difference between Yankees and good Northerners. Good Northerners is self-explanatory. Yankees – well, we know what “those people” are. As I have said in recent years, there are more people out there, even in the North, who know the truth and think like we do than we realize. Yes, we do need the support of like-minded people from outside the South to turn things around.
“It is crucial we garner non-southern support nationwide, while still maintaining the southern character and qualities of the tradition. Besides, the southern tradition is the American tradition.”
Why I support Abbeville. Without Southern orthodoxy, the still young United States is at serious risk.
American Indians are well known for asserting that as go American Indians, so goes the United States.
Frederick Douglas asserted roughly the same noting the condition of Africans (after the War). Interesting how enslaved Africans had more rights in Illinois than free prior to 1860. There is very great opportunity indeed to garner non-southern support nationwide.
Southern orthodoxy, in my mind, remains essential for there to be anything for non-southerners to learn from
So it goes with the Southern tradition. We are the rock, I believe
This is an excellent essay in all respects. Good comments, as well. Thank you!