New Yorker writer Alexis Okeowo explores the story of Alabama--as well as their own-

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Alexis Okeowo tries to avoid what they call "easy stereotypes."

It's a philosophy they have carried with them around the world, covering conflicts and marginalized communities in Africa, Mexico and the Deep South, many of which have been published in The New Yorker magazine. In some ways, trying to avoid these stereotypes was one reason they have tried to tell people about their home state of Alabama in a different way than people realize.

It was something they faced almost immediately after leaving their home town of Montgomery, Alabama to attend Princeton University. Later moving to New York City, Okeowo noticed how many of their own friends and colleagues had their own idea on what Alabama was, far different than the Alabama they knew.

It was a big reason th