I do enjoy the privilege of living in the United States. Some politicians do want to keep race an issue because that helps them. They tell people there is a problem with race and that they can help fix the problem if you vote for them. I have met people who do seem racist, but it's rare. Probably about the same number as those (personally that I know) who think that we didn't actually go to the moon (not many).
You've either led a very sheltered life, or know lots of scientific morons.