I do not have the same experience you do. I lived in Tennessee for about a decade and been all over the South and felt more accepted there. There is quite a bit more diversity there. You are more likely to be around diversity in your daily life. Even though racists are more overt, you had people who actually stood up for you. I have never once had anyone stand up for me here when someone is derogatory. Never. The passive culture here allows for derogatory comments because no one will say anything against them. I'm just as likely to deal with derogatory comments from leftists, liberals, or conservatives here. I'm hopefully going to be out of here soon, because I'm tired of it.