I was born and raised in Kentucky. Have family in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee. Lived in Georgia for 3 years. Vacation in Florida frequently.
The overwhelming majority of people I met were not racist and want everyone to have equality. If I met anyone that did hold those beliefs they weren’t open with them.
id argue that you’ve never taken the chance to get know people from the south. You probably hear a southern draw and think “RACIST!” That’s not how it works.
If anything, the only thing I heard against equality was people against gay marriage. And that’s because it’s their religious belief. But none of them thought the government had any right to interfere with marriage, one way or the other.
It was in Mississippi. (You didn't mention Mississippi.)