BBM
I am not sure where in the South you live but I have lived in South Carolina on and off for a total of 30 years and have friends and family throughout the state, as well as in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. My friends and family are scattered from the coast to the mountains. They live in tourist towns, cities, industrial areas and rural areas. They are well educated and high school dropouts - professionals, laborers, retail, fast food , military, first responders, disabled, teachers and stay at home moms. They are from all incomes, races, religions and sexual preference - None of them are any different behind the scenes than they are in any public setting - granted some relations and friendships may get a little frosty during election years but by the Holidays everyone is over it. I lived in Texas for 8 years... no one I knew there had a secret persona behind the scenes. I lived in the upper Midwest for 8 years and that is where I ran into some who preached Christian values and beliefs for their religion while blasting other religions. Where the bars outnumbered the churches and shops in town. Where a a wonderfully, amazing young woman was shunned by her community and family for being a lesbian.
I really do not think it is fair for the "South" to always get the bad rap . I am lucky enough to not have any of the "behind the scenes" people in my circle in the South and unlucky to find them within my circle in the Midwest. It's a big country with over 300 million people.....there are "behind the scenes" people everywhere.