You were truly failed by whoever educated you. It's not your fault, after all you're a late 50s guy who probably grew up in the deep south where public education is abysmal. Please read about the Southern Strategy...you are remarkably off base. FTR, The south went R in '64 and didn't go Blue again until Carter in '76. Then it went R in 80 and has been R ever since.
You should do some reading on the history of the shift of the two parties and what were the catalysts for it. Here, just read the Brittanica article on the history of the Southern Strategy - it's a very interesting read and hopefully will clarify some things for you.