[cubancigar11]

"I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster."

Seriously though, is there a way to be nationalist and not be racist? Nationalism, as a concept that started in Europe, is entrenched in racism. I can see that you are from USA from your anguish. But USA enjoys a very special history - that of no historical baggage that pits, say, French against the German, or Poland against Germany and Russia.

But back in Europe, 'racism', as it is taught, has been reduced to an outdated concept that has already been conquered. I can assure you it hasn't been. It has rather enabled many people to be racist without being called one.

Sorry, drifted away. Coming back to your point, people are racist. Italy and India share different narrated history - one of a old conqueror in decline and the other of a old underdeveloped civilization in turmoil after British left it out of pity. Everyone seems to believe it. All of their opinions are based upon it. It might be wrong to call Sonia (the Italian in question) racist because she is Italian, it is also not wrong to want to get rid of political bosses because they are Italian.

There is a lot that can be said here, but I guess I will have to resort to quoting from dusty books and running into abstract ideas.