Arkansas’ Hillbilly Image Endures

Talk Business contributor Suzi Parker reports for Reuters on a new exhibit at the Old State House Museum that examines Arkansas’ inferiority complex through the centuries.

Despite producing a modern-day two-term President in Bill Clinton, Arkansas — like other southern states — often remains mired in its hillbilly image.

"Arkansans understand the slights, the insecurities, and that it has always been us versus them, and the ‘them’ are laughing at us," said Brooks Blevins, a professor at Missouri State University who guest-curated the exhibit.

"And sometimes we use it to our advantage."

Blevins, an Arkansas native, is also the author of "Arkansas/Arkansaw: How Bear Hunters, Hillbillies, and Good Ol’ Boys Defined a State."

The exhibit follows how Arkansas earned its backwoods reputation, starting in the 18th century, and continuing even after Clinton became president.

After all, Clinton was dubbed "Bubba" by some, which resulted in redneck jokes and souvenirs, such as Bubba Hot Sauce.

Because of its location as a gateway to the Wild West, Arkansas didn’t luck into the romantic Southern moonlight-and-magnolia image. Rather, it became known as a rough crossroads where people — and outlaws — hid in the mountains, married cousins and sold moonshine.

You can read more of Parker’s story at this link, including her preview of the upcoming first annual Redneck Olympics.