Just my rant

Sorry -- this isn't the typical posting but I just have to do this.

Some of you may know I've recently moved to Kentucky and I'm new to the mindset here. I work out of my new home. We're getting a lot of work done on the house.

A few weeks ago, my wife called the guy who installed some tile flooring in our bathroom to ask if he knew any contractors in the area. "I sure do," he said. "He's local and he does good work. But I should let you know he's a colored guy -- is that a problem?"

We were floored.

A couple of days later I read in the Lexington Herald Leader a story about a cross burning just north of here. The suspects were apprehended -- and then released into the custody of their grandparents.

Just a few minutes ago we got a call from the woman who's leading the crew painting our house. She wanted to let us know there's a new guy coming on the crew tonight. She tells my wife, "He's dark."

My wife didn't know what that meant. "Well, he's black. But I've known him since I was 19 and I can vouch for him. He's a great guy."

Again, floored. Apparently there's a need to warn me there will be a black person in my house. And apparently there are enough people in my neighborhood who would have a problem with that.

What is going on here? Anyone?