Readers discuss race relations in their towns

"Before you condemn Barack (Obama) based on the statements made by someone else look into your own family, your own circle of friends and look in the mirror at yourself.  How many times have you stood up for offensive language spoken out of turn.  Which one of your friends would you renounce publicly for humiliation? … What I believe Mr. Obama is saying is that it's way past time to take a stand against the injustice of any people.  Not just black.  Not just white but Mexicans, Asians, Hispanics, every hue of mankind on this earth.  To provide a fair playing field for woman. To allow every child the chance to achieve and contribute to this nation in a positive way in which we all benefit. Slavery wasn't abolished because black Americans had the power but because some white Americans saw and knew that this type of injustice was wrong and passed laws to make a difference."

— Tracy Watson, Cincinnati, Ohio

"My husband and I are college educated, white collar workers from multiracial backgrounds and we live across the street from a Nigerian born anesthesiologist. There are also three other (African American) families in our neighborhood, but it is predominantly a white suburban neighborhood. … We don't talk to our neighbors much about anything. We especially haven't opened dialogue about this sensitive issue. Just doesn't seem appropriate as we don't interact with them much on anything other than waving hello and goodbye. … I believe it's more because of the social isolation phenomenon than due to race division."

— Kelli Amaya, Williamstown, N.J.

"Both personal and institutionalized racism is becoming a more 'out' issue in our community as well as more nuanced and topic specific.  … Berkeley especially, but the San Francisco Bay Area in general, have an undeserved reputation for racial tolerance, inclusiveness, integration and social justice.  We cannot claim the most progress or status in those areas than some other parts of the country, though perhaps more than some others. There are terrible racial injustices in our communities which are more and more openly addressed by civic leaders, citizens, local media etc.  On the hopeful side, there are also ever increasing anti-racism and anti-white privilege groups and educational activities developing.  Also quite hopeful is an energized movement towards eco-justice and greening urban poor communities of color.  As a white person engaged in some of these progressive activities, I feel some small, burgeoning hope but we have a vast, long way to go for healing, justice and equality."

— M. Nemer, El Cerrito, Calif.

"Different races interact mostly out of necessity — in public, at work, commerce.  I find that socially, interaction is limited. Fights/incidents that occur happen because of ignorance, misinformation, prejudices that have been passed down in families and communities, of all races. If people would just talk to each other, they'd find out that we all want pretty much the same things out of life and our differences are merely figments perpetuated in culture and media."

— Tony Felicetti, Philadelphia

"I was in a biracial marriage which produced four children. … I was a single parent working two shifts as a RN and we lived in rural America, in a town of 140 people, and no one there had ever seen a person of color. I will tell you that we as a family struggled with many prejudices but we kept true and we have been here 35 years. Things have changed mostly for the better.  … There are still problems , but that is human nature , but no longer do people call my children the N word and many who did have apologized and have come to accept us for who we are. Believe me there is just a much prejudice in the black community as in the white community I have experienced both. You have to believe in yourself, and work hard and believe in God and you will come out better."

— Patricia Rooding,  Green, Kan.

MORE FROM GUT CHECK AMERICA

Gut Check America Section Front

Is 'green jobs' initiative on target? FirstPerson: Readers set Obama's priorities Economy in turmoil: the jobs picture Battleground economics: Minnesota and Colorado Gut Check America Section Front   Add Gut Check America headlines to your news reader: