Stereotypes?

Every region in the world has a certain stereotype. Some are positive and self-fulfilling, while some are hurtful, insulting, and not altogether true. Asians have a reputation of being smart and dedicated, Colombians as being drug-dealers, and whites as being supremacists. Of course, these are broad generalizations. I, myself, am Colombian.... but I'm not a drug dealer. That being said, certain stereotypes of Southerners exists. Some call them rednecks, others call them hospitable. Now, when you hear the word "Southerner" what is the first thing that comes to mind? Was there a specific instance in your life that makes this so?

When I hear the word "Southerner," the first thing that comes to mind is a Confederate flag and people criticizing Hispanics, frequently mentioning that Hispanics are "stealing" their jobs. When I moved to the States back in 1999, my first experience with Southerners was the first time my father tried to get a job. Back in Colombia he had his own Civil Engineering firm, but in the States he worked as a truck driver. Trucker, the company he applied to, rejected him-- not because he wasn't qualified but because he was Hispanic. One day, he overheard the managers of the company discussing how they believed Hispanics weren't worthy of jobs Americans, especially Southerners, should have. So I guess that should explain the first stereotype I think of whenever the South is mentioned. I feel it necessary to add that this is no longer the case. After living in the States for over 10 years, I've come to realize that the South and its people are hospitable, and not all of them have hurtful stereotypes of Hispanics.