Thanks for this insightful take on the Deep South. I grew up in Georgia and lived in New York, California, and Washington State before returning.

What I have found belies the stereotypes. My home is in a Red political district, but most of the people I meet at gas stations and Costco or the bowling alley don’t
match those cardboard cutouts at all.
That’s not to say the stereotypes don’t still exist. Because I run into them too.

I really appreciate your call for more literature that accurately reflects what goes on here. I admire the honesty of your essay and feel inspired to do more of that in my own work. Thank you for writing this.