[Sherlock]

Folks,

With a U.S. election rife with race baiting and racial / gender issues, I've been spurred to begin a discussion with people from other countries about race issues and what they mean to you.

I've spent the election cycle wondering if the United States was ready to elect a black president. I ask this question with the understanding of deep-seeded racism that continues even as society progresses away from those types of attitudes. I know a large swath of this country remains entrenched in outdated attitudes, attitudes I feel that were outdated since the 1970s, mostly those in the older population, but some that have inherited such negativity.

However...

I also understand the feelings. The economy falters, jobs go overseas to "foreigners," a sue happy, contentious culture of victimization causes humans to fight against humans for every possible advantage, including those trumped up for no reason, where a person takes advantage of another innocent person. Its only human to harbor some negative attitudes toward those who are different, no matter the race, in times like these, and I think the attitude stems from that rather than past issues. However, even the Civil War in the United States has left unresolved issues, as there are times this country is divided by race and location.

My questions to you are: what do you think the race / cultural issues are in your country? How do you feel about the issues? Tell me about it, I'd like to hear. I'll join in the discussion as well, as can those who are in America that can perhaps shed some light on issues in another area of the country.

While any levity that can come from this post is appreciated and we should keep an open enough mind to laugh at ourselves from time to time, please keep the discussion civil. I don't want to start any of those issues here.