The metro area of Chicago includes a little more than nine million people and the entire state of Illinois has a little over 12 million residents. Therefore, please allow me to be the voice of the minority, representing the southern part of the state. According to Chicago suburb kids, this would include the entire area below I-80.

Since I’ve arrived on campus, I have noticed a difference in cultures. No, I’m not talking about the racial, ethnic stereotypes and segregation that exist on the campus (and should be taken seriously). This difference is harder to explain. It is the distinctions between Chicago suburb kids and the rest of the state.

Therefore, let me begin with an anecdote that exemplifies suburban students’ stereotypes of the South. As a freshman, I was sitting in class, most likely defending the Cardinals – this was the year the Cubs won the Divisional series for the first time since 1989 and the fourth time they were in the playoffs since the 1945 World Series; I won’t even begin to criticize all the fair weather White Sox fans this year – when I was interrupted by one of those educated, suburban comments.

“Wait, you’re from Southern Illinois? You don’t look like you’re from the South.”

Yes, I didn’t know it, but we are supposed to look different. Unfortunately, I must have forgotten to wear my overalls that day.

Please allow me to dismantle the stereotypes.

While I did grow up in a very, very small town, we do not all carry shotguns. Most of us from the “South” do not have thick southern drawls. Actually, you have annoying, nasally northern accents. Most of us do not live on farms, so don’t ask us if we do. For fun, we do what you do – go to the movies, shop, bowl, etc. We are not removed from “civilization” and believe it or not, we do not consider Champaign-Urbana “big city living.”

Since most of you are the majority, maybe you are not aware of the stereotype we have of Chicago suburb kids. As a Champaign cop said to me last semester, “I can see you’re not one of those spoiled suburb girls.” My friend Mike’s description of suburb kids: “ignorant, arrogant pricks.”

However, after thinking about this culture clash for quite some time, I prefer to be a little more diplomatic than Mike. Most of you think Chicago is the greatest place in the world. Yes, Chicago is a pretty impressive city, but what confuses me is that you don’t live there. This is the problem. You pretend that you’re better than us, yet you live in a suburb. Why would I ever want to live in a suburb?

Maybe the suburbs have more culture and diversity. This I can clearly see with how many of you wear North Face fleeces (even though I would dare to question if you’ve ever camped outdoors) gaucho pants, and Coach purses. You all look and dress the same. Although you have different ethnicities and races, you are never forced to interact with each other. Yes, I am blaming you for segregation on this campus. You brought it here from your high schools. Also, I am blaming you for the corporate influx into Campustown. Believe it or not, Noodles, Chipotle, and Potbelly’s are not the greatest restaurants in the world.

After graduation, the majority of you will move back to Chicago. Will you ever be forced to break out of your comfort zone? No, and therefore I don’t think you’re cultured at all. Without culture, which in your terms, equates “civilization,” you have nothing on the rest of us. We’re on the same level so you can quit acting so arrogant. Actually, maybe we should be the arrogant ones – we have the Cardinals and that’s a step up.

Renee Thessing is a junior in LAS. Her column appears on a rotating schedule. She can be reached at [email protected] metro area of Chicago includes a little more than nine million people and the entire state of Illinois has a little over 12 million residents. Therefore, please allow me to be the voice of the minority, representing the southern part of the state. According to Chicago suburb kids, this would include the entire area below I-80.

Since I’ve arrived on campus, I have noticed a difference in cultures. No, I’m not talking about the racial, ethnic stereotypes and segregation that exist on the campus (and should be taken seriously). This difference is harder to explain. It is the distinctions between Chicago suburb kids and the rest of the state.

Therefore, let me begin with an anecdote that exemplifies suburban students’ stereotypes of the South. As a freshman, I was sitting in class, most likely defending the Cardinals – this was the year the Cubs won the Divisional series for the first time since 1989 and the fourth time they were in the playoffs since the 1945 World Series; I won’t even begin to criticize all the fair weather White Sox fans this year – when I was interrupted by one of those educated, suburban comments.

“Wait, you’re from Southern Illinois? You don’t look like you’re from the South.”

Yes, I didn’t know it, but we are supposed to look different. Unfortunately, I must have forgotten to wear my overalls that day.

Please allow me to dismantle the stereotypes.

While I did grow up in a very, very small town, we do not all carry shotguns. Most of us from the “South” do not have thick southern drawls. Actually, you have annoying, nasally northern accents. Most of us do not live on farms, so don’t ask us if we do. For fun, we do what you do – go to the movies, shop, bowl, etc. We are not removed from “civilization” and believe it or not, we do not consider Champaign-Urbana “big city living.”

Since most of you are the majority, maybe you are not aware of the stereotype we have of Chicago suburb kids. As a Champaign cop said to me last semester, “I can see you’re not one of those spoiled suburb girls.” My friend Mike’s description of suburb kids: “ignorant, arrogant pricks.”

However, after thinking about this culture clash for quite some time, I prefer to be a little more diplomatic than Mike. Most of you think Chicago is the greatest place in the world. Yes, Chicago is a pretty impressive city, but what confuses me is that you don’t live there. This is the problem. You pretend that you’re better than us, yet you live in a suburb. Why would I ever want to live in a suburb?

Maybe the suburbs have more culture and diversity. This I can clearly see with how many of you wear North Face fleeces (even though I would dare to question if you’ve ever camped outdoors) gaucho pants, and Coach purses. You all look and dress the same. Although you have different ethnicities and races, you are never forced to interact with each other. Yes, I am blaming you for segregation on this campus. You brought it here from your high schools. Also, I am blaming you for the corporate influx into Campustown. Believe it or not, Noodles, Chipotle, and Potbelly’s are not the greatest restaurants in the world.

After graduation, the majority of you will move back to Chicago. Will you ever be forced to break out of your comfort zone? No, and therefore I don’t think you’re cultured at all. Without culture, which in your terms, equates “civilization,” you have nothing on the rest of us. We’re on the same level so you can quit acting so arrogant. Actually, maybe we should be the arrogant ones – we have the Cardinals and that’s a step up.

Renee Thessing is a junior in LAS. Her column appears on a rotating schedule. She can be reached at [email protected]