I live in a small NW Florida town. It is definitely R-E-D, but there are a few of us Dems around. I have an Obama/Biden sign in my front yard, very close to the house because in 2004 my Kerry/Edwards signs out by the street were stolen. It's a small town of about 4000, where everyone pretty much knows everybody, and everybody's business.
I frequent a local bar/restaurant/hotel that is locally owned and operated. Small place only 11 rooms advertised as a bed and breakfast. Fantastic food and usually good company. The couple who owns it moved up from the Keys a few years ago. It's a great place, our own "Cheers" where everyone knows your name, your family and your politics. I'm sure you get the drift.
Tonight I shared the bar with a few locals including a couple who moved up from South Fl 6 mos. ago to start a small business.
We were having a great time drinking, discussing life, etc. when the wife of the couple from So FL notices an Africa American family checking into the hotel. Her next question to the owner/bartender is "How do you clean your sheets?" The owner/bartender looks at her like WTF? and says "We wash them in (a brand name detergent) and bleach them". To which the woman from So FL replies "Oh good, cause you've got (the "N" word) staying here".
I am beyond appalled. I grew up in south Alabama in the 60's. Racism is nothing new to me. But this is Florida in the 21st Century and these people are still wanting their sheets bleached because African Americans are sleeping on them. I thought we had come further than this. Sadly, I was wrong. I guess I'm just too naive. God help us.