15 Things Every Arkansan Wants The Rest Of The Country To Know
By J.B. VanDyke|Published January 14, 2017
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J.B. VanDyke
Author
J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
Do you ever feel like we need to put out some sort of announcement for the rest of America? Like we’re so misunderstood (sometimes even maligned) that we need to explain some things to people? I know I have felt that way. The people I know from other states frequently misunderstand what Arkansas is like, so much so I want to film a public service announcement and play it in all 49 of the other states.
In lieu of a public service announcement, here is an article with 15 things you’ve always wanted to tell your out-of-state friends and family. Now you can just send them this article and never hear another false word about the Natural State again.
"Y’all" and "ain't" don’t mean we can’t have degrees from hallowed institutions. Besides, any linguist worth his or her salt will tell you nonstandard English is what is keeping English alive.
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4. The Natural State is called that because it’s got more natural beauty than anywhere else.
Though Yellowstone is called the first national park because it was the first to be called a "National Park," it wasn’t federally protected until 1872. Hot Springs National Park, however, was designated Hot Springs Reservation all the way back in 1832, long before we even had a National Park Service. It was the first land in the United States to be protected specifically for the purpose of recreation.
We come from rural areas and cities. We’re farmers, businessmen, and professors. We’re a group with different faiths, encompassing different races and nationalities, speaking different languages and worshipping in different ways. Not every Arkansan is the same, and it would be silly to pretend like we are.
They’ve underestimated our awesomeness over and over again, and that’s all a big mistake. Arkansas is more surprising and beautiful than anywhere else.
15. We’re plucky, we’re tough, and we will mess you up if you say an unkind word about our home state . . . or our razorbacks.
