NJ Fights Back Against 'Snooki' Stereotype

Love it or hate it, the Garden State is finally striking back. Anyone familiar with even the most common perceptions of Americans would know that New York's next door neighbor is perhaps in need of a public relations makeover. In fact, damaging representations of New Jersey often appear in Television, movies, and other various facets throughout the media.

"[New Jersey] does have a bad reputation and I don't know why. On the talk shows, they always make fun of Jersey. It's the dumping ground for New York," observed Manhattan, N.Y. resident Dave Jacobs.

Tired of seemingly-constant negative cliches, residents in New Jersey have become more vocal about their disdain over the general public perception of their home state.

"I've heard the expression 'Dirty Jersey' before and that show on MTV didn't help I have to say. But around here, the real New Jersey is not like that," Long Branch, N.J. resident John O'Keefe pointed out, "You might get a stereotype like that, but around here the real New Jersey is not like that."

Television shows in particular have often depicted New Jersey in a less than flattering fashion. Take, for example, "The Real Housewives" or "The Sopranos"…or the highly popular-and controversial reality show "The Jersey Shore." Now, locals are taking a definitive stand against the "Snooki" stereotype.

Gerry Wilson, an insurance corporation CEO and founder of JerseyDoesntStink.com, is trying to get his message across to other Americans outside of the N.Y. Metropolitan Tri-State area.

"I would love to get the word out that Jersey is a great place. It's a great place to live, to visit and more people should check out New Jersey," Wilson noted, "It's beautiful, there's the wooded hills, the pine lands, the beaches, the cultural things, the food, the people, it's got to be one of the best places in the world and it's just not portrayed that way."

But, the question still remains, does New Jersey really stink?

Brooklyn, N.Y. resident Reynaldo Olider doesn't think so. On the streets of Times Square in New York City, Olider said, "I think Brooklyn has a worse reputation than New Jersey and I'm from Brooklyn. So, I think New Jersey is a nice place to live."

Find out more at NJDoesntStink.com