Interesting.
First time I have heard about the Anglo vs. Celt theory.
Curiously, I had two great-great grandfathers who fought in the Civil War.
That generation of my family was 100% German, which I believe officially makes them Saxons. They were Lutheran ministers and farmers who settled in Peoria, Illinois, and fought for the North.
By my generation, one of my grandfathers married an English Quaker woman (my grandmother), so I guess I am definitely Anglo and Saxon!
Ironically, I spent a large part of my youth in the western Carolinas. My mother and I both had a genuine love for the people and the culture of the Old South.
I have not been in a southern state since the 1980s, so, I imagine my memories of the Old South are long gone.
What I lament is the “McDonalds-ization” of America, including the south. I grew up in New Orleans and Huntsville, Alabama and toured the south in the 60’s. Business has taken me to lots of cities, mostly in the west and south, and sadly they are losing their individual character in favor of “out of the box” architectural styles that are uniform and deadly boring.
Hopefully the smaller burgs are faring better.
The South has changed some what, but it is still the South. Our people are more diverse, but most are fitting in pretty well. People are still friendly and the food is still great. Our new folks have graciously shared their cuisines and it is all coming together nicely.