What Are the Roots of 'Southern Hospitality' and Its Modern Interpretation?

For fans of 2000s music, the concept of Southern hospitality may have first been introduced through Ludacris from Atlanta, Georgia. In his track 'Southern Hospitality' from the album Back for the First Time, he raps, “Dirty South mind blowing Dirty South bread/Catfish fried up, Dirty South fed,” reflecting on his journey from Chicago and Virginia to Atlanta.

Released in late December 2000 and produced by The Neptunes from Virginia Beach, the song is a tribute not only to the term 'Southern hospitality' but also to the competitive spirit of 'throwing bows.' It marked a pivotal moment as rap transitioned from its New York roots to embrace the Southern scene, where artists like Outkast from Atlanta and Memphis’s Three Six Mafia began to assert their influence, often using bold lyrics to provoke New Yorkers who regarded the South as unsophisticated and overly friendly.

Though Ludacris initially doubted the song's potential for success, it cleverly intertwines various Southern stereotypes and realities—from gold grills and flashy Cadillacs to the presence of women in revealing outfits—along with Ludacris’s own Afro hairstyle showcased in the music video. It subtly captures the paradoxes of Southern hospitality: welcoming with a smile, yet maintaining a boundary until familiarity is earned. This hospitality embodies a blend of kindness, resilience—“Sleep in a cot'-picking Dirty South bed”—and community spirit.

On the surface, the phrase 'Southern hospitality' portrays Southerners as warm and welcoming to both locals and visitors. However, its meaning is multifaceted and varies among individuals. Its origins are deeply rooted in a complex and painful history associated with antebellum slavery and the brutalities inflicted upon the most vulnerable segments of society.

Exploring the Roots of 'Southern Hospitality'

One of the most insightful works on the origins of Southern hospitality is The Southern Hospitality Myth: Ethics, Politics, Race, and American Memory by Anthony Szczesiul, a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

The book opens with a thought-provoking quote from French philosopher Jacques Derrida: 'We do not yet know what hospitality is.' Dr. Szczesiul explains that the concept, which emerged in the antebellum South, was shaped by the sectional tensions of the 1850s, as Southerners sought to justify their right to enslave others, setting the stage for the Civil War. He highlights that both Northern and Southern Americans were grappling with the ethical implications of slavery.

According to Szczesiul, the institution of slavery created the social customs referred to as Southern hospitality in the 1830s. He argues that in response to abolitionist criticism, the narrative of Southern hospitality served to validate Southern exceptionalism while subtly encouraging non-Southerners to admire and align themselves with the Southern perspective and its causes.

The Connection Between Southern Hospitality and Cuisine

Cuisine stands out as a primary manifestation of Southern hospitality, and a new wave of innovators is reimagining this tradition today. For Trent, a chef based in Brooklyn with Southern and Midwestern heritage, their passion for food is deeply influenced by Southern culture and a dedication to hospitality.

Trent's journey has been a remarkable one, filled with diverse experiences. As a former Miss Kentucky and a top-ten finalist in Miss America, they were educated in a conservative Southern Baptist institution. Trent later took to the skies as a flight attendant, traveling extensively until the pandemic grounded travel, prompting a full-time transition to cooking. Recently, they appeared on the Food Network’s Outchef’d, where home cooks are taken by surprise when they discover they're competing against renowned celebrity chefs.

'As a Black Southerner, three themes constantly resonate with me when I think about food: community, comfort, and survival,' Trent reflects. 'The historical context is undeniably complex regarding how Black Southerners relate to food, especially in terms of our culinary practices and dietary choices.'

Trent’s dishes reflect their Southern roots, featuring creations like corn pudding and the hot brown—an open-faced turkey sandwich originally crafted at the Brown Hotel in Louisville. Each dish is accompanied by Trent's charming drawl as they narrate the stories behind the food.

As a content creator and bourbon steward, Trent organizes events that celebrate food and community for BIPOC and queer groups, sharing recipes under the #trentbecookin hashtag on Instagram. This sense of community, they recall, was nurtured during their upbringing, as their grandmother welcomed neighbors into her home during holidays, serving meals to many. For Trent, cooking became 'a love language,' mirroring how Black Southerners traditionally gathered in church basements, bingo halls, and backyards to share food and fellowship.

'Most people recognize, or at least have heard of, Southern hospitality,' Trent remarks. 'It's a genuine experience, evident in our greetings, our gatherings, and especially in the meals we share.'

Community and Togetherness

At its essence, Southern hospitality revolves around gathering, unity, and community. This was evident during the antebellum era when Varina, the wife of General Jefferson Davis, served gumbo and champagne to Confederate soldiers, viewing it as her 'duty to maintain appearances,' as noted by Diane Roberts, a professor of English at Florida State University.

According to Roberts, gatherings among poorer whites and African Americans during that period were certainly less formal but no less significant. These meetings typically occurred within church settings, where individuals would come together to share meals and socialize. She emphasizes that Southern hospitality encompasses not only food but also the innate desire to be liked and perceived as friendly.

'The elite,' she explains to Dinogo, referring to white plantation owners in the South, 'took great pride in their impeccable manners, graciousness, and generosity. We will demonstrate to you that we are civilized.' In its truest form, Southern hospitality is characterized by the readiness to feed others, 'often regardless of whether they wish to eat,' Roberts asserts.

'Food as a necessity for survival transcends mere sentiment—it is a reality,' Trent states. 'Food is a fundamental human requirement; eating is essential for life; nourishment is critical for survival.'

'So when I prepare meals for others, I view it as a prayer and an expression of gratitude,' they add. 'My intention in cooking is to craft dishes that are life-giving and taste like love. I believe this sentiment resonates with many Black Southerners—creating and sharing comforting, delicious sustenance for both body and soul.'