Read your article and many of the comments – yeah racists are in every state. I wonder, not that I’m anxious to do a study on it, but are all racists the same? Meaning the same vehemence, the same dyed-in-the-wool belief system.

I live in CA (LA) and see and hear racist banter now and then – but thankfully not much. I see pickup trucks with 6 flags, but this is CA, so are they REALLY racist or playing a role to impress? I’m right next to Hollywood after all. Travel upstate to the more rural counties – I’d bet the signs would be more evident.

About half the country voted Trump in 2020, most not racist, just tired of what they had or misinformed yet again. I’m mean they did vote for him in 2016 and saw who he was, so what did they think they would get a second time around? But it’s hard trying to find a place for conversation and compromise when talking politics or dealing with people with really differing beliefs.

I agree with you though, we need dialogue. Sitting down with people and just talking. Not seeing them first as someone you don’t want to talk to and instead keep an open mind. We’ve all been fooled before, so why not hope for the best.