Embracing the Drawl: Challenging Bias Against Southern Accents

This weekend, I had the opportunity to go back home to the Tennessee mountains for a weekend getaway with my family before the craze of the holiday season begins. I have made this trek for almost a decade and have become quite used to it over the years. Typically, I pass the travel time by listening to music that spans from pop, rock, Broadway, country, and of course, Disney - this drive featured none other than Dolly Parton.?As I was driving through the twisting and winding mountain roads, I could not help but reflect back on my childhood growing up in Appalachia. From living in town with two red lights or having Sunday dinner every weekend; it is no secret that there are certain assumptions and preconceived notions about the Appalachian regions and the people that live there. It wasn't until recently that I wanted to learn more about these stereotypes, bias, and impact that exists for those that sound "like me."

On this trip, I took the opportunity to listen to a few podcasts that I had recently researched around a topic that is pretty close to me that identify those from the south - accents. For those of you that have never interacted with me face-to-face, I have a very thick southern accent. Seeing as I grew up in a very rural area of Tennessee in the Appalachian Mountains, it’s a very distinct accent that usually throws people the first time they hear it. Throughout my time with Disney, I have had approximately 73 Guests ask if I was. . . Australian. Ask my peers, they can confirm this to be true.?

While most are fascinated by my accent and find it to be entertaining and whimsical, others have not. There have been times during my career where people would make judgements and evaluate my intelligence based on my accent alone. Those first evaluations after the first few syllables typically come back as uneducated, ignorant, small-minded, etc. I am by no means suggesting that this is indicative for everyone, all the time, but it has happened. They expected me to fall into the stereotype of your “typical” southern man and would be hard pressed to get beyond that. One time during an interview process, I received the feedback that my accent would be “unwelcoming to a global audience” and that I should consider consulting with a vocal coach to get rid of it. I was at a loss for words and was left feeling demeaned.

After receiving that feedback (if you can call it that), I wanted to understand more about the perceptions and beliefs around accents - specifically those of southern accents.? I enlisted the help of a friend who is a linguist to find studies and research papers to review. What I found was that my initial thoughts were correct - southern accents and the people who had them were seen as “less than.” I mean, look no further than how southerners are portrayed on TV or how southern accents are used when telling a story of someone who may be seen as unintelligent or dim. I feel like there are times where a sense of superiority is assumed when speaking to someone with a southern accent. The podcast I listened to focused heavily on the media component as a follower had written to the broadcaster, after using a southern accent in the way described above, “Why do you make us sound illiterate?”

Now you may be asking, “Why is he ranting about this?” I want to share my experience with others. I know for a fact I am not the only one who has been in these situations where they have to prove their intelligence in an uphill fight just based on how they speak. It’s a shame that even though we live in the most educated time in human history, we still let the smallest of things get in our way. There will never come a day when I try to conceal my accent because it’s part of who I am. Throughout the years, I have learned how to leverage it. What I have found is that most people, especially once in conversation, find it warm, welcoming, and most of all comforting. For me and my line of work, it helps bring down walls people may have up for whatever reason and have constructive dialogue.?

All this is to say, the next time you hear a southern or any type of accent for that matter, stop and consider what your initial thoughts were and why you had them. Re-evaluate that initial judgement that may come to mind when hearing a southern drawl and consider how you can better foster an inclusive community and mindset. One last consideration, can we just move towards associating a southern accent with hospitality and Dolly Parton.