I do not believe that I ever related this story on DU:

[Xolodno]

40. Boiled Frog.

People don't know how fast shit can happen in government. Both my wife and I are exiles. My family was exiled by the Tsar (and no thanks to Putin, I have to keep my origin quiet) and my wife's family was exiled by the Shah of Persia. Add to that, the USA wasn't the first in my family we went into exile, it was Mexico, but the USA didn't like socialist leaders in Mexico and help promote the opposition in PRI. This all happened quickly and can quickly happen here (and yes, the irony is not lost on me we ended up in the nation whose imperialism brought a demise of the respective governments).

I'm always of the opinion, you have to be ready to leave a nation should things go really bad. It won't be terrible right away and you will lie to yourself and say "its not too bad". But then it gradually gets worse and you barely notice and become accustomed to it. But when it finally crosses the line, its already too late. My distant relatives in Russia are gone and my wife has no clue about hers in Iran.

Racism could very well be the tool that brings everything down. I was in a friendly poker tournament, long story short, got shit hands every single time and you can only bluff your way further for so long before someone gets wise, so I was out at the second table before the final third. So I just chatted with other people at this poker party I haven't met yet. In one conversation, I guy made a comment which included "dirty Mexicans". It floored me. As there were those of Hispanic origin and were at the final table. And yes, I'm white and fully Russian blooded (of course I've heard the "Russians aren't European and just a bunch of Mongloids"...which is an insult to both Mongols and Russians), but I very well could have been a Mexican citizen.

Racism isn't taught, it gets indoctrinated and takes generations to remove.