Those types of people were looking for any way to shut you up, to them they are more human than you, they are your betters, and they have no interest in your thoughts. Oregon is full of selfish ex-Californians, the ones who left the state after they screwed up beyond all hope. They don't care about where you’re from or your history. They have better things to do, like talk about themselves and figuring out how to control everyone else’s lives, so they won't be irritated by the rest of us. Southerners, especially those who call themselves "Rebels" are to them a subspecies of human life. It’s amazing they addressed you at all. Welcome to the club.
David