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Inside March 15, 2005's Issue

-Entertainment-

Country artist appeals to various audiences

Dante's Down the Hatch, down the drain

 

'What Southern Women Know' stereotypical portrayal of women in the South

By Amanda Cordle
[email protected]
Staff Writer

Not since the South's succession from the Union has a well-intentioned idea gone so terribly wrong as Ronda Rich's "What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should): Timeless Secrets to Get Everthing You Want in Love, Life, and Work."

Rich's writing comes across as shallow and sexist.

The idea that femininity is positive and can help women to navigate through society is certainly a wonderful idea, but Rich manipulates it into an issue much more desperate than it should ever be.

She even refers to women who leave their homes without adorning themselves in bright colors and full make-up as failures.

Rich's pride in the women of the South seems sincere and provides several poignant moments in the otherwise offensive book. For example, she encourages readers to treat everyone in life equally because everyone responds well to kindness.

Another good point Rich makes is "If life were fair pecan pie would have no calories."

Not all of her advice is hogwash, however, Rich's advice is much less effective than her ability to recognize problems.

Rich takes a Scarlet O'Hara approach to advice that leaves readers bewildered.

She relates the end results of how to solve a problem without attempting in any way to tell how to achieve the process. She simply says to forget things.

Today's women are much different than Margaret Mitchell's heroine, and it is impossible for them to just close their eyes and wish their problems away.

Several of Rich's observations about Southern life prove very accurate.

The idea that people in the South are much more committed to celebrating holidays furiously and always quick to comfort in times of crisis are things than can be noticed all over the state.

But some of her descriptions of our Southern lifestyle are so dramatized that it seems as if she is painting a caricature of the society that she supposedly holds so dear.

Anyone looking to punish themselves or have a really good laugh at the outrageousness of Rich's words should pick up a copy, but other readers be wary.

This book is basically an appealing heap of exaggeration and stereotyping sprinkled with sparse bits of sweetness.

 
 
 

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