I see it, too. White, black, brown or Martian- we are none of us free from the scourge of racial discrimination until we are ALL free of it. That may be a loose quote from Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe it, every word.
I lived as a small child in many places around the world and I didn't experience discrimination. I end up in this country- and had my first run-ins with it. It's worse here than most places around the world!
Americans need to get over the idea that our country is somehow 'perfect' as is and nothing needs attention. BULLSHIT! Everyone- with the possible exception of the one percent, I can't speak for them- is hurting these days. Things will get worse until and unless we set aside what divides us, from the racism of our forebears to the poisonous lies of the Koch brothers.
Yes, I think the current economic situation is one part of the problem.
@bearkat42, I'll bet that even with that six figure income, you don't feel very financially secure, do you? I don't... people tend to see enemies everywhere when the wolf is at their door. A modicum of income security would make a lot of headway against racial tension, I suspect.
@Padawanbater2,
@UncleBuck and others have been very clear about pointing out how the Republican Party is pandering to racist attitudes and divisions, even encouraging them. As long as such a mainstream organization with as much political influence as they have can get away with such attitudes ON PRIME TIME TELEVISION, I fear we are not going to see progress in race relations.