Welcome to small town living. Welcome to Oden, Arkansas. Let me describe a picture of this country town where I grew up. Oden is a unique microscopic town located in the heart of the Quachita National Forest that has as many as 220 people thriving there. On any given day in this small town it is not uncommon to see people riding horses, ATVs or even a lawnmower along Highway 88. To put this in perspective, the entire county which consists of six towns does not have a single light stop, and the few stop signs might as well be optional. This is the definition of country. Many people are under the impression that Southern people are “redneck,” toothless, and illiterate. Being from the countryside doesn't automatically make a person an idiot; this is the biggest stereotype I've had to fight against in my entire life. The perception that individuals have developed of “country people” or “Southerners” is extremely aggravating. I was born in Arkansas and spent 19 years of my life there. I'm considered a southern bell ringer, which is yet another stereotype, but I'm not stupid. I am currently in the last semester of my bachelor's degree and also working on my bachelor's degree. Almost every person who lives in this small town has received some sort of college education. People there wear cowboy boots, wrangler jeans and maybe even a flannel shirt or two. Please don't let this be misleading, dressing simply doesn't make them naive, they just like to be comfortable. I cannot dispute the fact that individuals who live in the countryside differ greatly from those who live in the city. City life compared to country life would be better compared to the different... middle of paper... they're not smart here. I come from this city, I spent 19 years of my life there. I'm considered a Southern bell, but I know I'm not stupid for the simple reason that I'm from the country. This stereotype is ridiculous and the people who believe it are absurd. The idea is painful to say the least. It is unfair to everyone who lives in the South that this senseless label exists. However, “Southerners” allow this stereotype to continue to exist; blame can be placed on many different things. I blame the media, the Southern extremists, and I blame myself. As a Southerner I should be proud of my heritage. I shouldn't let people stereotype anyone, including myself, because they're from the South. Being from the countryside doesn't automatically make a person an idiot. I'm from the countryside, but I'm not an idiot. Please don't stereotype me.