I’m in Birmingham, I’ve only seen a couple of Obama bumper stickers and I haven’t seen a single Obama yard sign. None of my Black co-workers are talking openly about the election. Last time there were signs everywhere and dancing and yelling his name at work. This time, nothing at all.
I forgot to mention, Condaleeza Rice is from Birmingham and she is very well respected here by both Blacks and Whites. People here listen to her and they see that she is campaigning for Romney. That may be playing a role in what I am seeing here.
I remember this from talking to some young people who were in college...they'd be walking along, minding their own business, and some black guy who was a stranger and maybe not a student on campus would yell at them as they passed..."Obama!" It could be unnerving because it brought with it an air of intimidation and threat. I wonder if those students are remembering that with a kind of cheer that they get to vote against that kind of covert thuggishness this time around.