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This place we call home

With Charlotte in the spotlight because of the Democratic National Convention, and 35,000 outsiders coming to visit, maybe we should take a look at ourselves before they all do.

RELIGION & CULTURE »
Unbuckling the Bible belt: Being Jewish in Charlotte
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | June 29, 2012
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You know you’ve entered the Bible Belt when you drive away from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the sign announces: “Billy Graham Parkway.”

'Tales' provoke a (mostly) civil war
SEGREGATED PAST »
Before Obama speaks, artist Nellie Ashford remembers
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | July 13, 2012
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In her pretty folk art paintings, Ashford reminds us of the ugliness in our past.

GATEWAY TO THE CITY »
1 road runs through 2 different worlds
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | July 27, 2012

First impressions are important, 73-year-old Dorothy Waddy believes – and she worries people coming to town for the Democratic National Convention will get a bad first impression of Charlotte.

More: Tales of the New South
Uptown DNC Fest to be free, open to families
FLYING THE FLAG »
Confederate flag: Rebel without a cause
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | August 10, 2012

If you have ever driven past the tattered flag fluttering outside Eugene Barrett’s home in western Mecklenburg County, you probably had one of two strong reactions:

More: Tales of the New South
As God is my witness: Taragate lives on
SOUTHERN DIALECT »
Y’all ever wonder why Suthinas talk the way we do?
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | June 21, 2012

There’s one thing from Fincher Jarrell's roots in the rural South that Jarrell still carries with him: His accent.

Examining Charlotte's accents
The Southern Drawl
THE FOOD WE EAT »
Forget BBQ, Michelle. Try our livermush
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | June 21, 2012

Despite what Michelle Obama may have thought, the Charlotte area is not known for barbecue.

Livermush, the art form
The Travel Channel discovers Livermush
GLOBALIZING CITY »
Diversity on display: Charlotte’s salad bowl suburbs
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | July 6, 2012
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Much has been written about Latino immigrants moving into this part of the country, but Charlotte is also a magnet for immigrants from many nations.

Learning to speak English
RURAL POVERTY »
Mary Zigbuo’s quiet search for hope in Anson County
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | July 20, 2012

I didn’t have to drive 50 miles from the banks and shiny skyscrapers of Charlotte to see people standing in line at food banks, houses falling into disrepair and drug addicts loitering on street corners.

STILL BANK TOWN? »
Bank Town USA: Really, the 'town of former bankers'?
By Elizabeth Leland | E-mail | August 3, 2012

Randy Mitchell lost his banking job 11 years ago, and since then, he has helped other out-of-work bankers find new professions. He believes Charlotte can still rightfully promote itself as Bank Town but he suspects the nickname is hiding a dirty little secret:

More: Tales of the New South
THE BOOSTER GENE »
‘The little city that could’
By Elizabeth Leland | August 27, 2012

Charlotte's accolades include an international airport, huge banks, the NBA, the NFL, the NCAA Final Four, the DNC and soon the PGA.

Leland: I like the Queen City. Really.
Tales of the New South series