Neanderthals with a Keyboard in "Post-Racial" America

There has been much talk about a "post-racial" America in the age of Obama. Well, that would be nice, but it isn't so. I've been reminded of this countless times as I scan blogs about the election. The amount of racism and biggotry dripping from the fingertips of anonymous commenters is stunning, disheartening, and alarming.

One only need read the article and comments from a post which appeared in the Plain Dealer's blog "Openers" about Butler County, Ohio, a Republican stronghold in Southwest, Ohio. For example, in the article, a waitress at a local diner said "My boyfriend is so upset, he said he's going to go over to Kentucky and join the Ku Klux Klan.... My boyfriend said now the world is going to end in 2012 and that Obama is the antichrist." More disturbing are many of the comments to this particular article. Let me give you a small taste:

Posted
by maltlicka
on 11/06/08
at 10:12AM
*hand on heart* I swear allegiance to the flag of the United Socialist
States of America. And to the republik for which it stands one nation, under
Barack, who's guided by Satan, to deliver food stamps and healthcare to all.
Amen.

And, how about this little nugget of joy:

Posted
by JamesVIII on 11/06/08
at 6:43PM
There is a difference between the strength of a trait in the
general population and strength of that trait they may be found in a particular
individual. There is no doubt a few very good white basketball dunkers out
there. But if you expect to find the best dunkers go to the black race....We
have many fine highly moral, hard working intelligent blacks in America.
However, they are a distinct minority and they do not exert a notable influence
on the general black population.

Wow, that was educational.

I am hopeful that America can come closer to a "post-racial" society but am not optimistic it will happen soon. It is encouraging that a majority of people in Tuesday's election were able to cast their ballots for a non-White person--something that would not have been likely a generation ago. Perhaps Obama's election will move this country toward that ideal. It will also, unfortunately, increase the tenor and frequency of the intolerant and biggoted in America, especially as they tap away furiously on their keyboard.