My fellow poll workers and I saw it — and heard it — throughout the seven days of Florida’s early voting. We witnessed attempted intimidation by whites at polls in black neighborhoods. We heard threats and racial insults.

Florida is not Ohio. It is not pining for lost blue-collar jobs. Florida’s economy rebounded very well after the recession. Black folks voted overwhelmingly for the candidate they felt would protect them and their interests. White people voted based on their race.

It really was as simple as that. I suspect that many people in the North prefer the comforting story of economic grievance, or Democratic “elites” out of touch with the masses. But, at least in Florida, the truth was obvious.

GENE WRIGHT

Santa Rosa, Calif.

To the Editor:

Since the elections, The Times and every other media outlet have showered the public with explanations of why Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, including David Paul Kuhn’s Op-Ed essay.

These explanations all miss the point. When we lose a basketball game 97-96, there is no single cause, other than the fact that the other side scored more points than we did. Did we lose because of the easy shot I missed in the first quarter? Or because our star player was injured? Or because of that blown call by the referee? Yes, yes and yes.

And thus it was with the election. Mrs. Clinton would have won if she had been a better candidate, or if voters had been more appalled by Mr. Trump’s racist rants, or if there were no Electoral College or if more city dwellers had voted in the Rust Belt. Or if any of a hundred other things had happened.

WILLIAM COLE

New York

To the Editor:

Bigotry and racism are part of the fabric of most societies worldwide. In civilized countries they largely stay below the surface, because the prevailing moral view discourages such sentiments, and this moral imperative is voiced by society’s political, academic and religious leaders.