news-record.com

BLOGS

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

The Editor's Log

Andy of Greensboro?

Is this an insult to Greensboro?

“But what is the real reason to live in Greensboro? That is easy – it is all the people who live here. Although the third largest city in the state, its residents affectionately characterize it as having a Mayberry mindset.”

Maybe because I live here, I think it's a compliment. Mayberry may not have been the most happening place, but the people were friendly, Southern and interesting in that quirky way.

But the City Council doesn't think much of the description, which is on the Web site of the consultant the city is using to recruit a new city manager. Seems to me that painting Greensboro more cosmopolitan than it wants to be is one way to attract candidates that don't fit, but maybe that's just me.

If not Mayberry, what fictional place does Greensboro most resemble?

Permalink
Tags: Quirky

Posted by John Robinson on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 1:07 pm

What do you think?

11 comment(s)

Read other visitors' comments.

Other Recent Entries

Lorraine Ahearn, published author (Nov. 7)
The value of comments (Nov. 6)
The Yankees at the beginning (Nov. 5)
30 years ago (Nov. 3)
The violence around us (Nov. 3)

RSS: Subscribe to this blog

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

Inappropriate content? Please notify us.

Illiterati

June 10, 2009 - 2:17 pm EDT

Peyton Place? Ha, just kidding. Mayberry's close enough. Small cities like GSO should revel in their livable scale instead of constantly aspiring to be some fancied-up metropolis. They aren't fooling anyone anyway. I've lived in three of the biggest U.S. cities, but came here when I'd had enough of the headaches that come with big-city life. Why? Simply, because it's nice here, it's affordable, and it's close to both mountains and beaches. I might complain about a few things, but overall it's pretty good here.

And, honestly, what candidate is going to be fooled into thinking Greensboro is a big, fancy, go-go town, especially once they come and see it in person? Overselling any job is a bad idea. It only leads to disappointed hires.

Mialamasoul

June 10, 2009 - 2:59 pm EDT

Greensboro doesn't resemble any fictional town that I have ever heard of. Maybe except.... Pleasantville? If you've never seen that movie, you should pick it up. Greensboro reminds me of that town in the way that people here would prefer to reject anything that is of color (double entendre intended).

axhandle

June 11, 2009 - 10:23 am EDT

That is odd Mialamasoul. I would imagine that the Mayor of Greensboro would disagree.

Mialamasoul

June 11, 2009 - 10:46 am EDT

I did not say the Mayor would prefer to reject anything that is of color, I said there are people here who would like to do this. There is nothing odd about it.

buzzman

June 11, 2009 - 1:04 pm EDT

Don't forget all the blacks who despise white folks and make no effort to hide it!

Mialamasoul

June 11, 2009 - 4:25 pm EDT

Why would it be a requirement to hide despising who holds the economic cards of the community with unique and purposeful disregard for making anyone of color feel welcome? Someone else not of color made a statement such as the one you made, but remember, it is not blacks or any other ethnic group that has tried to disenfranchise or divest whites of anything that they possessed. (Wilmington, Rosewood, Tulsa, Trail of Tears)
And in being despised, what have white people lost that they really wanted, or did not already have? What social or economic impact does it have on whites to be despised?
It has been a requirement for blacks in this town to limit themselves based on stereotypical notions held about them. Are there whites who have had to do the same?
I don't see in the historical record blacks throwing bottles at whites trying to go to school in majority black neighborhoods. There is an expectation that blacks must show their fairness to all, excuse me, to whites after centuries of being treated unfairly based on their race only. An unrealistic expectation. The statement made comes straight out of fear. Is there somewhere you WANT to go in a black neighborhood in Greensboro where you personally have been treated poorly?
The point of the comment was that this Mayberry or Pleasantville (hope you watch the movie) is stubborn in its small -town-ness. This is a city of 250,000 people.There are things that MUST occur here, including sensible conversations about how race has impacted Greensboro's capacity (or incapacity) to market itself if the city is going to be healthy and thriving. It cannot be thriving only for one group here, but for all.
That can't happen with small town thinking about race issues.

Get A Clue

June 11, 2009 - 7:40 pm EDT

I have had the good fortune to visit Greensboro on a regular basis these past 2 years (and to read the N&R quite often). Speaking strictly as an outsider, I can honestly say it has been my experience that the people here are significantly friendlier then where I have called home all my life. My hometown is about the same size as Greensboro, but we lack a downtown after 6pm. We lack a thriving arts community. We do not have the richness offered by the proximity of many institutes of higher learning. I have yet to be treated rudely by anyone I've met whenever I visit.
Sure, there are parts of most towns people might not want to visit in the wee small hours of the morning, but sensible people are home asleep then, anyway. I am certain Greensboro has problems, and I get a sense of civic pride with respect to at least attempting to move in the right direction with regards to solving those issues. There are lowlifes and drug problems everywhere. Everywhere.
Mayberry? Pleasantville? I don't know. I like the name Greensboro. Thank you for your hospitality.

Mialamasoul

June 16, 2009 - 3:21 pm EDT

So I guess only the idiots run around in the wee small hours of the morning? Same question applies to you. Did all the people who were friendly to look look like you?

Get A Clue

June 18, 2009 - 6:05 pm EDT

Judging by your comments it appears your concerns may have something to do either with the chip you've placed on your shoulder or the stick wedged up your...well, never mind.
I never said "only the idiots run around in the wee small hours of the morning." You did.
And yes, everyone who has been friendly to me every time I'm in Greensboro--and as I stated, that means everyone I have ever met in Greensboro so far--looks a lot like me. Some were taller or shorter, though. Some were a different gender. Many had a different pigmentation that I do. Some appeared to be less well-off than I am, others appeared to be of a much higher socioeconomic standing. But other than that, they all looked like me: Warm, open, friendly, handshake and look-you-in-the-eye when we spoke kind of people.
Of course, I haven't met you, yet, Mialamasoul. So my perfect streak could end.
I'm just sayin'.

Andrew Brod

June 15, 2009 - 11:30 am EDT

I think Greensboro is a great city. I like living here, and the friendly people are one reason. But a "Mayberry mindset"? Not only does that not ring true, I have never once (contrary to the ad's claim) heard anyone here liken Greensboro to Mayberry. I think what's going on is that the city council got what it asked for. The council wanted an executive-search firm that hadn't worked with the city before, and as a consequence it got a firm that's shown that it doesn't really know the city at all. I mean, c'mon, Mayberry? Just because we're not New York City (or even Charlotte) doesn't make us a hick town.

Mialamasoul

June 16, 2009 - 3:19 pm EDT

Greensboro is not a hick town, and nobody wants it to be New York. By the way, do the friendly people you have encountered all look like you? Then there is your answer. You didn't get asked "You're not from around here are you?" did you? Or did you get asked "are those your children" if you have any?