If you are from a liberal or blue state Florence will not be for you:
1. We do not like being told how to live our lives. Every since Florence was founded we kind of done things our way. So please don't come down hear expecting to change us to your way of thinking just because you believe its right. Be a inspiration to us and show us that your way is better. We will follow a good leader. Not a bad one.
2. When you come to Florence be advised the culture of this city is that trust is earned. We are taught not to trust strangers. If you get the quiet treatment at first this could be why.
3. Racism and Discrimination will be a problem here. Before the civil war, there were a lot of Plantations all over Florence County. Naturally there would be some mistrust between the races where slavery is concerned.
4. Florence has been the site of two prisons. The first was a prisoner of war camp that housed union soldiers. A lot of these soldiers were treated well, until shermans march and Andersonville sent it Union prisoners to Florence. That's when grim reality was beginning to hit the remaining Confederate troops. A lot of negative feelings was left about the prison in Florence. Both sides had reason to distrust each other. Those feelings have been passed down for generations.
Florence had a AAFB during WW2. On the base was a prisoner of war camp for Germans. About the same time a notable base commander was in charge of the base . The name will sound familiar. His last name was Edwards. Yes the same Edwards that Edwards AFB was named for. A lot of the current housing on the East side of Florence used to be base housing. The airport the football and baseball stadium were all apart of the base..
Today as I indicated the East side of Florence is low income housing. The south side middle class housing, the west side is upper class and wealthy, the North is African American.
I want make any excuses for the town I have lived in for 48 years. All I ask is you look at the history of a town before you pass judgement on it. Florence was givin a lot of reasons not to trust outsiders. Its going to take a while for those prejudices to die. When you hear a south Carolina citizen say, they will have too take my guns off my dead body they are not joking. Most southerners will tell you they trust there gun more than a politician. If you are not Christian I would not move to Florence. For generations we have been taught Jesus is the only way to heaven. The jewish community is excepted because the Bible teaches that they are God's people.
Too all of you who did not feel welcome, I am truly sorry. If you come to Florence expecting us to allow for compromise or change then you are in the wrong town.
James |
Florence, SC |
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