There were no great robber barons, no great plantation owners. There are none of William Faulkner's Compsons here, only striving or bitter Snopeses, each scrambling for a place at the table. To be from Arkansas is to be turned away from the big house, to be designated redneck or trash. To be an Arkansan is to be a Snopes. With no tight traditions, Arkansas has long honored the bright young person with creative ideas.
Upward mobility is no myth here.
In this regard, Arkansas has more a Western than Southern sensibility - family counts for less than ability. Arkansans reflexively assume anything of local origin to be second-rate, we mistrust the most innovative and original among us. Because of this insecurity, this inappropriate defensiveness, we fear the harsh judgments of outlanders. Because we are from Arkansas, we have none of the advantages. We are quickly and deeply hurt, even when censure is offered constructively.