Cream of the crop Quote by Sally Denton
““Lexington, Kentucky looks like paradise. Acres of grass as green and tender as a golf course putting green surround hilltop mansions. New Circle Road--a beltway enveloping the city's heartland like a moat--attempts to separate the wealthy landowners from the encroaching strip centers and fast-food joins that are symbolic of the rest of the state … Combining the traditional feelings of Southerners with the uniquely gorgeous landscape of the bluegrass, Lexingtonians consider themselves and their region the cream of the crop--not only of Kentucky, but also of the nation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Lexington: A Cultural History by Sally Denton, 2019
The passage praises Lexington’s lush landscape and elite status, contrasting it with encroaching commercial development, highlighting regional pride and class division.
In simple terms: Lexington is beautiful and proud, yet faces modern commercial pressure.
Appreciate local beauty while advocating balanced development.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning meetings
- heritage tourism
- community forums
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the natural beauty influence residents' identity?
- What policies could balance growth with preservation?
Counterpoint: Romanticizing the elite can overlook systemic inequities.