I had some acquaintances that used to call me racist, simply because I did not care for Obama. That flew out the window when they saw a family picture.
Racism is an easy charge to make, that foments a lot of discord. I really think that is the reason that so many people like to make that charge. As you might be able to tell from my Sign on, I am in Arizona. My family has been here since 1843. That is a long time ago. Very long, in fact, I do not know of another non-aboriginal person that has family that has been here that long, continually. Right now, we are going through all the hoo rah with our states immigration bill. I think, that more than anything else, as well as anything else that goes with all things associated with race, it is more on a bully pulpit, that is used by bully's for their own political advantage. I am certain that it is not about equality. They are intent on building their own power base, and are able to get people that are more willing to believe than read, to follow along with the lies and misconceptions that they perpetrate on people.
For what it is worth, in SB1070, there is specific language that does not allow racial profiling. You think, well, yeah, that will happen anyways. But it also does not allow enforcement of the law as a primary measure. Meaning, someone has to be arrested for a minimum of a misdemeanor, before the request to prove their legal right to live here is allowed. Personally, I don't understand how anyone would think that it is okay for a miscreant to be allowed to live in our country if there is way to easily deport them, and allow their country of origin to deal with them. For what it is worth, this bill had 79% support in the state, when it was passed. Ironically, those of hispanic decent were more supportive then the general population.
On a positive note, I do a lot of right of way work for the cities, as a contractor. I can now pull up to a corner, without 30 people trying to crawl into my truck, thinking I am looking for day laborers, and added bonus, I can easily pull into, and out of Home Depot.