Wow, that's really sad, especially considering a majority of people say that they trust a person with a Southern accent moreso than any other (it was in a study a few years back). Plus, the Southern accent can be quite adorable.
Being born in Maryland and raised in the metro Atlanta area, I don't have much of an accent usually. However, since I work at Cherokee County, one creeps up on me from time to time.
When I was younger I pretty much refused to say "Y'all", but now I've grown to embrace it.
Pfft. The Southern accent is far better than the Yorkie one.