As a southern woman, I was taught the art of perfection. I was groomed to be polished – defined by acting with grace and being well mannered. The fear of changing the status quo was communicated by the celebration of history. Southern men were asked to protect the image of our culture. Southerner's value family, faith and patriotism. We worship a romanticized past. All of this creates a perfect picture. The picture is painted with various landscapes. The core of the picture is an idealized view of how we perceive ourselves.