Is it fair or reasonable for persons from other regions to assume that if individuals in the U.S. southeast refer to it as "Dixie" they are racist?
I have a friend who has become involved in just such a controversy; that is, being accused of being racist based solely on referring to the SE U.S. as "Dixie." This is someone I know to be the farthest thing from a racist possible.
I'd love to be able to refute that accusation based on your understanding of what is connoted by the word "Dixie" in reference to that area by a local resident.
The etymology of the word “Dixie†is murky, with a few theories. Some theories are race neutral; one certainly is not.
But the etymology is not terribly relevant to the connotation in this case. There is little doubt that the popularization of the word “Dixie†as a reference to the South comes from the song. This song enjoyed its popularity primarily as an unofficial theme song of the Confederacy.
Personally, as a northerner, I don't hold that strong of an association between “Dixie†and the politics of the Confereracy. But I am not surprised that significant numbers in the South might. I would avoid using the term due to its strong association with the Confederacy and its use as an informal rallying song.
Even if its origin was neutral, it seems it is “skunked,†(as discussed in previous AWWW broadcasts) at least in the South, where the associations may be strong.
What does this mean for the very common use of the word Dixieland music? Are we supposed to call it Hot Jazz or New Orleans Jazz now?
Good point. I like to think music transcends politics. But I've been calling it New Orleans jazz for decades, not for political reasons. Maybe that varies regionally as well.
The term "Negro Spiritual" was in use long after "Negro" fell away from proper use. Certain fixed expressions can persist long, long after the constituent parts fade to obscurity.
Grant responded to the email I sent of my original question. Here it is ~ Kit
"I agree with you: it's not racist to call the south Dixie. It never has been. That's not to say that some racists don't use the term. Of course they do. But so do a lot of good people like you.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to defend against a charge of racism. I'd say avoid further contact with anyone who says that it is racist: clearly they've got muddled thinking. I wouldn't want to chance being around when it came time for them to, say, put out a fire....
Best wishes,
Grant Barrett
Co-host, "A Way with Words""