Sorry, not everyone here is an idiot. but, There is more than the fair share in the south.
You really must come north to see that idiocy isn't the strict domain of southerners. Grand Rapids is very segregated. I have never heard so much prejudicial talk as I have heard here. And here people are not conditioned to be polite as us children of the 60's south. They will boldly come right out and say racist things to you. I've met several black people in my retail work who were raised in the south at the same time I was. They like it better down there and say they were and are treated better than they are here in Michigan. The suburb I live in is 99% white.
Michigan just followed California in amending Afirmative Action. The movement was started by a white, female former college student.
Take a look at the link to California and their JIM Crow laws. They were worse than Illinois. California, who prides herself in her progressive thinking. Look at how she voted in the 2004 elections. Most of California voted red. The major cities were blue, but the rest is just as backward and bigoted as the rest of our fine country. I have moved around the country enough to know you will find rednecks and backward people in every state. People outside the south aren't any smarter either. And they don't have the lasting effects of the Civil War to contend with to this day. What is their reason? Maybe it's that people are basically the same everywhere. They are capable of great kindness and great ignorance and evil. All people, no matter the race, the social status, the religion or creed.