Readers discuss race relations in their towns

“Our town is composed of approximately 90 percent Native Alaskan.  We like "our" white people, but seriously, as soon as they set foot on our land they do adopt a particular attitude of superiority.  They don't make an effort to associate with us; they won't invite us to their residences for socialization — it's almost as though they are afraid of us!  They certainly do not treat us as equals. So this is kind of a sore subject with me.  I have many friends who are white whose friendship was "made" elsewhere, and have all treated me with respect, courteously, deferentially, etc. But when the white teachers or medical staff come here as temporary residents, they don't do very well at all.  So I tend to resent all of them and distance myself from them all.  So, I am helping to perpetuate this cycle of un-socializing with the whites here.”

— Annette Cornelius, Metlakatla, Alaska

"I am an African American 30-something female who resides in a newly developed area about 30 miles south of Houston, Texas. The area that I reside in is racially mixed. America needs a "Dr. Phil moment"; both the black and white communities need to have civil dialogue about the racial issues that concern them. We need to come together with an open heart and discuss why both sides seem to feel the way that they do. We are afraid of each other; that's just what the powers that be want! If we really want to come together for the good of our future as a country, we need to talk about things that make us uncomfortable in regards to race. We don't have to agree with everything that each other says, but at least take the time out to listen with an open mind. If we really want to begin the healing process, then it is something that we MUST do, or else we are just fooling ourselves. As more and more people of color are becoming more upwardly mobile, race is becoming more and more important so that we can have a greater understanding of each other."

— K. Richardson, Fresno, Texas

"Seattle is a predominantly white community, but does have a growing black population due to immigrants from Somalia and other African countries. When I was raised in the Midwest, there was no real racial tension. There were occasional overt racist acts that were immediately condemned by the society. Today I see racial minorities attributing some treatment to racism when it should really be attributed to rude behavior.  For instance, a black mother of a high school student attributed lack of attention from the high school principal as an example of organizational racism.  I laughed because they're just as non-responsive to me, a white male.  Today, while racism certainly exists, there are so many cases where a racial minority simply attributes bad treatment to the color of their skin.  …  Today, with all of the affirmative action initiatives and lawyers happy to sue, I've seen more cases where a racial minority gets special treatment than bad treatment.  I have other examples where my minority friends have received special treatment that makes them feel uncomfortable too.  But I've also witnessed racist behavior that causes my blood to boil — just not that much anymore."

— Dan Nelson, Seattle

“I would really like to address Joe Scarborough's comments  about what whites "whisper about race around the dining room table" — as if this racist discourse only exists in private contexts.  White racism is very public,  because they are so sure they are right! Whites — some are friends, others are not — have been telling me to my face for years and years that they think I got hired because I'm black, got that scholarship because I'm black, etc. This is not at the dinner table, but out in the public. Thank God, it’s good to know what people really do think. Here in Louisville, I guess the biggest fights have been over busing and the realignment of the political boundaries of the city and county, which had the impact of diluting the black vote.”

— Yvonne V. Jones, Louisville, Ky.

“I personally think that racism here is still in existence, but in a more subtle manner. For example, we can all drink from the same water fountain, that does not mean that personal attitudes have changed. Tensions are mostly due to law enforcement issues in the community. I have been here since 1982, and it seems … (that when) there is a problem among the black citizens it is due to some activity by the law enforcement.”

— Sally Ann Lozano, Boca Raton, Fla.

“We live in a state where Hispanics are the majority minority group.  We have seen subtle forms of discrimination against Hispanics for as long as I can remember.  We Hispanics do not trust the whites or the blacks, because they both take care of their own. … This has been apparent in the Democratic presidential election, where the blacks support Obama by over 90 percent.  If Obama is nominated by the Democrats, I as a loyal Hispanic will have a very difficult decision: Do I support a white man or a black man?  Either person will not help the Hispanic population. I personally feel that America is not ready for a black president.”

— James Sweeney, Sun Lakes, Ariz.

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