[SWTXBelle]

Alphagamuga, the sins you speak of are the sins of all Americans. A little discussed fact is that the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves ONLY in the parts of the CSA not under Union control. Slavery continued to be legal in four states of the Union until the passage of the 14th Amendment. There were several Union generals who kept slaves until after the passage of the 14th Amendment. Many cities in the north passed laws making it illegal for newly-freed slaves to move into the city. Victors write the history books, so they have made the south a scrapegoat, but the fact of the matter is no area of the country is free from the scourge of racism.
Continue to love the south, and understand that racism unfortuantely knows no geographical or cultural boundaries. I remember well the busing riots in Boston in the 1970s. Accusing one region or another of being more racist may make someone feel superior, but I believe it prevents the kind of thoughtful reflection that will enable us all to rise above it.