The HELL it is, I lost mine a LONG time ago. Talking like that and you are INSTANTLY pre-judged by others.
That's too bad. Probably true in many parts. Southern accents in general, right? I hate to confess I used to have the same bigotry until I moved to Tennessee and grew to love drawls. I swear James Carville's accent is the only reason Mary stays with him. I hate what he says but oh how he says it! Reclaim your accent. It's a good one and this country is getting too homogenized.