I’ve never been that far to the south but lately I’ve been reading and watching those novels and movies.
The prevalent idea is: in this world (Texas?) you are alone, nobody gives a cr*p about you, do not trust anyone because they’ll take advantage of you, ridicule and mock you. The world (or maybe only Texas?) is an inhospitable, inhuman, Darwinist place.
Theres 30 million people in Texas. I’ve barely been, but it pretty much conformed to my expectations as someone who has been to other parts of the southern US, and places with Spanish speaking populations.