It's funny you say that & have a Cornhusker avatar.
Most people don't think of it, but Nebraska is the most backwards, fucked up state in the Union, with the exception of Omaha.
They are very high on the Mosaic Law list.
The only difference with Nebraska & the deep south, Nebraska didn't have to deal with slavery, but they do have race issues.
Their neighbors to the northeast, east, & south are more fair minded than they are.
I had a truck driver tell me that there are more people in Western Nebraska that marry their cousin's than they do in the South.
Given the choice between living in Alabama or Nebraska, I'd take Alabama any day of the week, month, year, or lifetime.
Edit ...
Also, it's not so much the poor (white, black, brown) trash that you have to worry so much about, it's the rich folk with political influence.
They are the once who sway policy & laws. They are the ones who spread bigotry.
Most poor people in the South have a more live & let live attitude.