I am a Southerner, through and through- proud too, I am not a racist Rebel- but a person who appreciates and KNOWS the life of the South. People here aren't stupid, unaware, or not street-smart. If anything, they think a hell of a lot- and pass on traditions and stories that 'used' to be important in society. This sort of thing happens in other parts of the US, but I still don't feel it like I do in the South.
I grew up with the old country music- Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and all those greats. Yes, I was a Johnny Cash fan WAY before this recent trend of youngins', goth types, an teenage rebels thought he was cool for remaking 'Hurt' by Trent Reznor and the movie 'Walk The Line' was a hit.
Johnny Cash stood for all the underdogs. He stood for the confused, lost, depressed, imprisoned, unloved, unaccepted, and unrecognized people and said 'Yes friend, you are valid'. "I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, But is there because he's a victim of the times."
Johnny was a Christian. Johnny was screwed up. Johnny was addicted to drugs, alcohol, committed adultery, and was who he was. Just a man trying to do the best he could, falling on his face and not hiding it. Johnny hurt, a lot. But eventually he found love and kept it. He had a painful road to finding unconditional feelings upon him.
Johnny Cash was country, but Johnny Cash was what rock and roll is all about.
Get to know Johnny Cash. Do the best you can. Don't dwell on your downfalls- just keep on keepin' on.
