Recently there has been much negativity cast on the word “Dixie.” It is alleged to be racist. Although many slaveowners lived in Dixie and racial atrocities occurred in the South after the Civil War, I wish to remind readers that Dixie is merely a slang word for the South, just like New England is for the northeastern states. It has nothing to do with segregation or slavery. Its origin is a bit murky, but none of the competing theories relate in any way to racial injustices. It is just a term that refers to the South.
I was born and raised in Dixie, but it does not mean I or any of my family are racists. As a matter of fact, my grandfather emigrated to Dixie from Pennsylvania in about 1900 to teach at an all-black college in Dixie. I submit that all the brouhaha about Dixie is spurious. There are many lower fruits hanging from the racial injustice tree.
Jack A. Elder, Salt Lake City