I can't help it, I take note of people who are from South Carolina like Joe Frazier, Lauren Hutton or Kevin Garnett. Recently I have been mulling a top ten list in this vein: who are the most influential living people from the Palmetto State?
It will sound too pretentious to say I had a methodology for this. It is more of a parlor game, but I did come up with a few ground rules.
- The person must be living and either born or raised in South Carolina.
- The breadth and depth of the individual's influence is of paramount importance. Mere fame for a long time isn't enough. Demonstrated influence counts. Sorry Chubby Checker, but don't stop twisting.
- The person's influence must be felt beyond the borders of the Palmetto State. Sorry Mayor Riley.
- A candidate for the top ten needs to have been around long enough to prove she or he has lasting influence: sorry Aziz Asari but keep going!
The Short List
Ben Bernanke
Charles Bolden
Stephen Colbert
Pat Conroy
Jim DeMint
Marian Wright Edelman
John Edwards
Leeza Gibbons
William Gibson
Joseph L. Goldstein
Lindsey Graham
Fritz Hollings
Jesse Jackson
Young Jeezy
Jasper Johns
Sallie Krawchek
Andie McDowell
Kary Mullis
Chris Rock
Darius Rucker
Armstrong Williams
If you have an opinion on who should make the top ten let me know.
