Though I wasn't originally born in South Dakota, I've spent enough years here now to get the gist of what everyone not from South Dakota thinks of the state and the people within it. I've also traveled enough to where I have heard the craziest of things, of what people actually believe to be true of South Dakotans. So here are the myths, the absurd accusations, and the misconceptions, that everyone not from South Dakota believes about our state.
1. We ride buffalo.
I hate to break it to you, but no we do not ride buffalo. These animals do not patiently wait in our backyards to take us to school during the morning or on an afternoon stroll. Just because South Dakota is known as "bison country" does not mean that this plays in favor to us. Instead the bison we have can mostly be seen basking under the sun on a summer's day on the west side of the state near the Black Hills.
2. We don't have TV, internet, cellphones, etc.
For some reason, many people think we haven't modernized. They believe we still live like we did in the 1930's. Trust me, we've kept up with the changes in society just as much as you have.
3. We are the definition of cowboys and cowgirls.
Just because we live in the Midwest does not mean we all assimilate to western culture. Not everyone can be seen wearing cowboy/cowgirl boots or down at the rodeo. Not that anything is wrong with this, but frankly this way of life is not for all of us.
4. We are all Republicans.
Actually, myself, along with most of my friends are Democrats. Just because the stereotype for people who live in the Dakotas is that we are all die-hard republicans does not make it true. A lot of people in South Dakota actually like to stray away from traditional values and are interested in Democratic ideals. And apart from the picture, a good portion of us here were Bernie Sanders fans!
5. We all listen to country music.
Don't get me wrong, I like listening to a good Luke Bryan or Sam Hunt song every now and again, but I also like listening to new beats dropped by Drake or G-Eazy. Not all of us in South Dakota listen to country music. I actually have a good amount of friends who genuinely hate country music with a passion. We all have different tastes in music, just like everyone else across the country.
6. We have nothing "fun" to do here.
I'll admit, most states always have so much more to do compared to us, but it doesn't mean we have absolutely nothing to do here, that's an over-exaggeration by far. We still have clubs, bars, movie theaters that have more than two showings, public pools everywhere, water parks, all the best restaurants, and concerts that come often. We don't just sit at home and twiddle our thumbs all day, there is stuff to do here that can be categorized under "fun."
7. We have no diversity.
You're kidding me, right? Our state is incredibly diverse. It isn't just white westerners that live here, people. There are African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Mexicans, people with many different backgrounds and ethnicities. South Dakota is a state that is immersed in culture much more than people think.
8. We think it's permissible to marry our cousins.
Believe it or not, I have heard this one. We are not hicks, we don't believe in marrying our blood relatives. Really? Like, we have the same thoughts about incest as you do.
9. No one needs to lock their doors.
Even in the small towns, it isn't totally safe and it's even worse in the larger ones. In cities like Sioux Falls or Rapid City, for example, you should always lock your doors. Just because we live in a state that has a lower crime rate than most does not mean we don't need to follow normal security measures. We still have experienced theft, murder, an array of serious crimes, and even if our percentage of crime is lower than other states, it is nothing to be taken lightly or to determine us as having to care less when it comes to security precautions.
10. We are all hunters.
Not everyone in South Dakota is pro-hunting. Some people are vegetarians and are against the killing of all animals. Or there are those who find danger in it, and are concerned about the other victims that could get caught up in the mix. Or frankly, there are those who just find it gross and would never be caught dead doing it. Regardless, not everyone is a hunter and not everyone approves of it.
So for everyone who still wonders about South Dakota, or for those who still ponder if the state is still in existence (it is), here are the myths that many of you often believe, but that actually aren't true. South Dakota, as small town as it may seem, is just as up to date as all other states in the U.S. While you may know us for Mount Rushmore, we actually have so much more than that, so much more than what can be seen on the surface.
