This election and the solid red south reminds me of something I learned about southerners when I worked in the Atlanta government 6-7 years ago.
Yes, many white southerners are still very racist. But they hide it in slang terms. I was shocked when I heard the term "democrats" applied to african americans. "The democrats want a free ride," is the type of thing you hear. Or "the place was filled with democrats."
On the other hand, I heard black people working for the local government talking about freely spending the "white people's taxes" because it was "restitution". They mean for slavery.
There are obviously still deep divisons along racial lines in the south.