Yes, This is my home state ( It's been in my location section btw) and of course we will always have that stigma. Ever since Mainstream media covered the civil rights , brutal hate crimes victims, and these country folks in the counties that's what immediately comes to people mind.

I will immediately point out that their state have as much biogtry as well. But that's mainstream news for you. Whatever reputation your state or city gets then it takes time to remove the bias image.