Is there a connection between leftism and racism?

No, because right-handed people have tried to make left-handed ones like them for centuries. Rightism, therefore, is pretty much comparable to racism. Then again, ambidextrous people, such as myself are the true freaks, I assume.

Depends on what leftism means. Individuals of any political persuasion can be racist. Beyond that, progressive identity politics/identitarianism is inherently racist, and bigoted in general.

The ones carrying the Confederate flags and wearing Nazi insignias and running over people in Charlottesville are ultra right wing racists.........but racism is universal.

no. there never was.. on the other hand , there is a long history of racism with conservatism.

Not really. The KKK and the Westburo Baptist Church will always follow whomever they feel enables them the most. At a time the KKK felt the DNC was their best chance, but when LBJ allowed for two black representatives to sit in on the conference they walked out. Nixon used that to his advantage and ran on "southern tradition". Some things have gotten better, but there's still room for improvement.

As sure as the KKK is racist!