Don't assume that basic attitudes were different before. It was probably just that some people felt it unwise to let people who were not of their group know how they really felt.
Assume that what you are now seeing was always there, but now the masks have come off.
I have gradually come to understand that. During Rev Wright I spoke about this with my one of my son's closest friends (black) who he's known since grade school and he educated me. Afterwards he said he had a choice at some point..and he decided to leave the "hood" behind..but fully understood how seductive and easy and simple it would have been to stay. He's confused too which is no consolation- but it's illustrative.