We can agree that southern Illinois contains some true-blue country folks even if we will not agree concerning the merits of grits...I don't begrudge anyone else liking them.
In fact, I'm a little in awe of those who have the intestinal fortitude to enjoy them.
My mom was born in Georgia, and was raised there and in South Carolina, so she knew the ins and outs of Southern Cooking.
My Dad was from Southern Illinois, which is actually more southern than some states south of that area, so we had southern cooking as I grew up.
Just could never accept Grits.