Why is there still so much racism today?

[Mr. Smartypants]

I can't believe the answers you get from conservatives on this issue. Jeez, this is the 21st century!

If you want to be a leader, if you want people to follow you and send you money and vote for you and buy what you're selling, the easiest way is to reinforce the unfortunate aspects of human nature--fear, anger, division, distrust of the 'other'. It's always easier to push intolerance and selfishness than universal love and understanding (Jesus learned that! 8^) ).

So you don't tell people 'Hey, everyone has rights!' You tell 'em 'YOU have rights! YOU have to protect your rights by denying rights to others!' Works every time.

It's ironic that the GOP came into existence in the 1850s for the sole purpose of abolishing slavery. Theirs is one of the most rapid and total successes in US history. The very FIRST Republican president dealt completely with the problem. Slavery was abolished!

What's ironic about this is that within just a few years the GOP became The Party of Intolerance. Every kind of intolerance! Racism, sexism, nativism and xenophobia, homophobia even religious intolerance. These have been a large part of the Republican platform for at least 100 years. They instigate it, encourage it and exploit it.

(To be fair, the Democrats have done their share too. Years ago. Yes, the KKK was Democratic. Labor unions were racist and xenophobic years ago, to protect the status of white skilled workers. But that was a long time ago.)

There are always going to be politicians (and spiritual leaders) who will exploit every kind of intolerance. It's just taking advantage of some of the negative aspects of human nature.