Southern Like Me? is a documentary film project exploring the nature of southern identity and what it means to be a southerner in 21st century America.

"The origins of a distinct southern identity can be traced back to the early colonial era when a regional 'otherness' began to emerge" -- an otherness that continues to this day.  Why?  What role has this distinct identity played in the American experiment?  Will this identity continue or fade away as American culture evolves and matures?

As someone born and raised in the south, I have struggled for most of my life to define my own southern identity.  As a child, and later as a young adult, I always felt different that other folks living in the south.  I loved living in Alabama and Florida, and yet I never seemed to fit in or be totally comfortable with the traditions and customs of southern life.  And I was totally at odds with the prevailing belief structure of mid and late 20th century southern culture.  Why?  What made me different from others?  I have lived in the midwest for the past 25 of my 51 years, and yet I still consider myself to be a proud, but conflicted son of the south.  Why?  What is so unique about “southernism” that it remains an integral part of one’s very being years or decades after leaving the south?

My personal story of growing up in difficult family circumstances in the 1960s and 1970s, during turbulent times of historic change, is a way into the larger story. I grew up in a family that had somewhat liberal political and religious beliefs, and that put me at odds with most people I encountered growing up. And so I felt an estrangement of sorts from many of my fellow southerners. In short, I was different, and when you're a kid being different than most can be rough. So, my impressions and thoughts about being southern were colored by difficult and painful memories. 

And yet, even though I moved to the upper midwest 25 years ago, I still consider myself a southerner -- not a midwesterner. I often find myself defending the south and explaining to people that the impression given by popular culture is skewed at best, and often times wrong. And most of my family still lives in Alabama and Florida -- including my 91 year old mother who lives in Anniston, Alabama.

My intent is not to disparage the south or reinforce old stereotypes, but to offer up a different view of the south as a very complex place with a unique history populated by proud, good, generous, friendly and intelligent people whose contributions to American culture are integral, and need exposure to a large national audience.

The documentary is non-fiction, and I will not be working from a pre-written script, but rather an outline of the story I think I will be telling. However, the process of genuine exploration always leads a filmmaker into uncharted areas and unknown stories and information. To me, that's what makes it such a fun and rich way to explore subjects of interest. 

I assure everyone, that Southern Like Me? will be a fair, honest and respectful journey of discovery.

I am seeking $10,000 to underwrite travel and crew expenses for initial filming in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.  In addition to scheduled interview sessions with family members and filming of what I like to call family dynamics, I will interview scholars, writers, local celebrities, politicians and interesting, colorful people I meet in each state.  And I will endeavor to document significant cultural and political events, and acquire b-roll of landscapes and places of note.  Travel will commence on July 7, 2012 and conclude on July 30, 2012.

Following this initial filming, I will craft a fundraising trailer that will be used to secure $500,000 in completion underwriting.  I will continue to consult and work with humanities scholars and others, and continue to film well into 2014.  Post-Production will commence in the fall of 2014 with an anticipated completion date of July 1, 2015.

Budget Summary