Survey Has Alabama One of Country’s Most Disliked States
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A new poll is putting Alabama in a negative light. It says that Alabama is one of the country’s least liked states. So does Alabama have an image problem?
Alabama sits at number 49 on a new list of the country’s least liked states. The website YOUGOV.com asked Americans what they thought of all 50 states. Just 11 percent of those surveyed say they have a very favorable view of Alabama.
“You’re southern, you’re country, you’re this, you’re that.”
Bernice Hackett says she heard it all when she moved from Alabama to New Jersey more than 40 years ago with her husband.
“Three years ago we came back and I am enjoying it,” she said. “I feel more home, comfortable. Now when we left, it wasn’t like this.”
The couple doesn’t think the survey is fair but they understand why some may have negative perceptions of Alabama.
“If you go back in the 50s and 60s, maybe you would have had a point,” said Mims Hackett.
So, why do outsiders still have negative opinions of Alabama? Ohio native Jim Meeker says its southern stigma.
“I’m a midwestern guy. I grew up just thinking you know, the south is full of rednecks and hillbillies.”
But does polling like this create even more negative perception?
“In the social media world, there’s a different one of these surveys that comes out almost every day,” said Brian Jones with the Alabama Department of Tourism.
Jones dismisses the survey and says the state works to put Alabama in the best light.
“This year we’ve literally welcomed people across the world to Alabama with the Selma and Montgomery events that happened just in March.”
Although recent hot topics like like gay marriage and whether or not the state should fly confederate flags keeps Alabama in the national spotlight, many, like a couple from Canada, say the state has a lot to be proud of.
“Up in Canada, we’ve heard a lot about the US South so we’re just on a tour of the US South,” said Roy Uchman.
“I think it’s beautiful,” said Janice Pietrucha. “It’s a very pretty city. It’s got a lot of history that I find interesting.”
Alabama was number 49 on the list…the most disliked state? That title goes to New Jersey. To see the entire list: follow the links below.
https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/inlineimage/2015-07-02/StatesFav-01.png
https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/yfklity4w4/statefavorability.pdf
