Thank you for writing about this topic. I realized after reading your article that I have subconsciously absorbed and accepted the idea that the most American Americans are located in the sparsely populated areas of our country even though I live in Los Angeles and know that most people live in other large urban areas. I think there are two reasons for this: 1- the media perpetuates the idea, and 2- my race – I’m not white. Because of European Imperialism, I think Americans, consciously or subconsciously, consider others or themselves more American if they or another person is white. I want Barack Obama to win because I think his victory will act as a cleansing agent for us all. It won’t end our race-related issues, but it will signal the beginning of a new era.

Thank you.

European Imperialism??

What the hell does European Imperialism have to do with the subconscious racial prejudice on the part of Americans?? As far as I was aware, America has been an independent nation for over two hundred years. And one which lagged significantly behing European states in prohibiting slavery,and extending equal rights to those of African descent. So perhaps you should look to America and Americans when seeking to understand the racial undercurrents which you consider still in play there.