racism in my town

I am writing this out of much anger and disgust.  After hurricane Katrina the national conciousness of race and class issues became mainstream, but unfortunately, old habits die hard.  I have felt a sense of great shame for my country, especially since November of 2004.  "We" gave our blessings on this unjust war that has taken the life of so many innocent people, "We" have turned our back on the poor, sick and elderly and literally starved them on american soil for all the world to see. If I had a nickel for every time I said "my head is ready to explode"....and here I sit in small town america, confronted with racist attitudes on the street I live and once again feeling ashamed of where I live and the community around me. And again, my blood is boiling.

I knew this was a conservative town, but I try my best not to equate all conservatives as being racist.  It is hard being the lone liberal in our neighborhood; avoiding political discussions and heated topics.  We live on a private street in a new home subdivision where we are the only family that doesn't attend church regularly or own a handgun.  While I have always known that I am politically and socially on the oppposite end of the spectrum from my neighbors, I have felt it important to remain friendly and greet people with a wave and smile and keep the majority of topics to "your lawn looks nice...".  

Last night I received an email from one of our neighbors that was sent to everyone on the street.  This woman is always sending annoying joke emails that I usually delete w/o much thought.  This one appalled me.  I will not repeat the contents here but it began with "Looks like our African-American members in Congress have found something else to complain about...."  It went on to mock AA names for hurricanes,and made reference to black women taking their kids to a welfare line.   I was beyond enraged after reading this.  And then tears began to fill my eyes.  I was heartbroken that after all we have witnessed with Katrina that anyone could be making light of Hurricane victims and their children.  I am disgusted that this neighbor would even think to include my name on her "send to" list.  Is it guilt by association? Because I am white and live in an all white conservative town that means I would appreciate a "joke" like that?  
  Also yesterday, the people across the street are moving out of state and just put their house on the market.  They told me their real estate agent actually asked them if it would be okay if she showed the house to a biracial couple that are clients of hers.   Why would a real estate agent need to ask this?  My only guess is that she knows the area and its prejudice and was either a) feeling out the how people would respond to a non-white family moving in or b) she is used to dealing with racists who wouldn't even sell their home to a non-white family.  Are we still so un-evolved as a society that we need to ask this in 2005?

  I apologize for using precious diary space for a personal rant.   I come to dkos for many reasons, one of which is to remind myself that there are still good people left in the world.