AMEN!
There IS a very strong, and deeply entrenched, anti-South prejudice in this country. It DOES exist. We are still generalized and marginalized by our geographical location and history. It doesn't matter where in the South you're from, you're a bare-foot, mush-mouthed,uneducated buffoon if you're Southern. And you're expendable.
Very few will admit to thinking this way, of course; that would be too inelegant! The snide condescension always seeps out from behind the mannerly words and smiles.
free dixie,sw