Stereotypes

We often make comments and assumptions. For instance, just because someone comes from the North-East they must have some inferior gene than say someone from the South-East.

But is that perception the right one. Are we all loud, rebellious, promiscuous and yob-like?

Sections of the media associate regional accents with some redundant culture – deprived, unhealthy and lazy, like the characters in MTV’s Geordie Shore.

But what of the region’s many achievements?

There have been many industrial giants, inventors, creators and entrepreneurs. We have creative talents, motivation and steely determination.

We are no better than anyone else, but not as bad as some would say we are.

People of the North-East have many attributes that are hidden, ignored or by-passed by those who are envious or ignorant of what struggle and survival really is and, more importantly, what it has shaped.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.