I'm an Asian guy and moved to Nashville a few years ago because of my job. My corporate job back then took me on a lot of trips to a lot of red states such as Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, etc. I even worked for a Tennessee state agency for a couple of years. Interestingly, I was the only Asian there, which often led to surprised reactions when I introduced myself as a state employee. My state white coworkers shared with me some horrible experiences in the Chatanogga area where some black state employees were told to get out from some white people in some of those small areas. I personally found that East Knoville is full of trumpites, and they certainly don't look friendly at all to me.
I recall an instance when I took a coworker to urgent care in Alabama. The receptionist curiously asked how we got here (U.S.), to which I jokingly replied, "We swam."
Not long after settling in Nashville, I had an encounter with an older white man. While I was waiting at a traffic light, he shouted at me from the sidewalk. I rolled down my window to hear what he was saying, only to hear him tell me to go back to California, referencing my car's CA license plate. He then proceeded to call me 'prick' and challenge me to a fight. I just laughed and left. One time in downtown Knoville, there was a couple, with the guy being a black guy. Everyone around them was literally staring at them, and I felt uncomfortable for them.
From my experience, most white individuals there are okay. I am fine with them as long as I don't talk about politics with them, as someone mentioned earlier. One of my friends said I am 'thriving' in the South. Honestly, I don't care too much about how they see me, which probably makes my life a lot easier, I guess. I have lived in Blue states like CA, IL for a long time as well. It is almost the same everywhere, though with good and bad people. As long as you don't go around looking for arguments or trouble, you will be fine.
