I've never lived in the South, but I have met plenty of racists from the midwest, and a few black racists in California. And from the history I've read, the only reason Confederates are painted as racists is to hide the great atrocities committed by Lincoln and the Union against the American people.
I was waiting to order a beer recently, and heard the bartender saying she had lived in Phoenix, Imperial Beach(San Diego), and Mississippi. Husband is military. She stated emphatically that when they get to move where they want, they will return to the South.
I was raised in Southern California but was fortunate and 32 years ago married a girl from the south. Still happily married. Best/luckiest decision of my life.
Funny how the SouthWest is so different than the SouthEast in culture. Maybe they get more sunshine, getting to see it before we do.
I think climate and when and how it was settled have a lot to do with that. Deserts vs Appalachian's and swamp. Mexican's vs Scotch Irish. Just two very different areas and people groups. Although I think one thing we share is rugged personalities.
https://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/our-hate-confederates-moment/