What rednecks?

My response to Kristi Jourdan's "Mitten state does not deserve its redneck-riddled reputation" (SN 2/18) was one of shock. I began reading it in hopes of seeing a good argument on all the reasons why Michiganians are not hicks. Instead, I found myself somewhat offended by her so-called defense.

Kristi claimed that she is from Grand Rapids, which couldn't possibly be true. I am from Wyoming (south of Grand Rapids). There are no back roads with tractors. There are no cows or orchards, and not all of us pronounce words incorrectly.

Kristi made Grand Rapids seem like some podunk town. It does host monster truck rallies and rodeos, but the world's top performers have also performed there and continue to do so. It's been said to be the most beautiful city in West Michigan, full of culture, classic architecture and growth.

There has been a publicized misrepresentation of Grand Rapids and of Michigan as a whole. Instead of proving how Michigan is not just a snowy, redneck state, Kristi Jourdan did the opposite. She only used the Grand River and snowmobiling as reasons why Michigan is trendy. The people of Detroit are not the only ones up to date in fashion. Has she forgotten about her own campus?

Michiganians are not simple-minded people that have nothing better to do than rake leaves and hunt.

Erin Barkel
chemical engineering sophomore