"We know we're not supposed to be racists."

[marmar]

via MichaelMoore.com:



October 13th, 2008 8:04 pm
Racism is real in Minnesota, say political insiders, but losing its power


By Bill Salisbury and Richard Chin / Twin Cities Pioneer Press


Every Thursday night, Jeanine Owusu, of St. Paul, works at a United Food and Commercial Workers phone bank, calling her union brothers and sisters to encourage them to vote for Barack Obama and other labor-endorsed candidates.

Once or twice each night, "people tell me, 'I'm not voting for a nigger,' " Owusu said last week.

"Others hang up on me. Nicer people will say, 'I'm voting Republican,' even though they usually vote Democratic."

Owusu said only a "small fraction" of the traditionally Democratic, working-class voters she talks to exhibit any racial prejudice. But those voters could be key in a close Minnesota contest between Obama and John McCain.

Obama's Minnesota campaign director, Jeff Blodgett, said he isn't worried about a racial backlash. Concerns about the economy have overwhelmed race as an issue in the state, he said.

"We're hearing pretty much one thing, and that's concerns about the economy and economic turmoil," Blodgett said. "That's what this race is about."

Some voters disagree.

"I think race is going to have an impact," said Vincent Kain, a 23-year-old Pakistani-American from St. Paul who supports Obama. "We're not evolved enough where race is not going to be an issue." ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=12371