[HollyAsWell]

Hey Sandye,

I can not even begin to express how deeply this disturbs me. I am an American, and I was born here. This country's history is based on crimes of humanity against other people. America hasn't changed so much over the years. The laws have changed, to varying degrees, but the attitudes of people, in large part, have not. It's not just the police, it's our sick society. When I was 13 I moved out of this country and lived elsewhere for 17 years. About 8 years ago I moved back and I was deeply disturbed at how America holds tight to its prejudices and continues to oppress. In my view, it simply is America's greatest flaw, it is the reason we will ultimately fail at being the 'greatest country in the world'.

I do not worry when I get in a car if someone is going to pull me over for playing my music too loud. I do not worry that the police will stop me late at night and ask me if the car I am driving is mine. I do not have to worry about these things because I am white. And THAT is the simple fact of the matter. It's not because I don't break the law from time to time (I've tossed little garbage out of my car window when stopped in traffic with a policeman behind me!) it is because I am white, and there is no other reason. Until this society chooses to lose its prejudices and open up opportunities for EVERYONE here the oppression will continue. If there isn't equal opportunity, there will never be equality. What percentage of the police force is black or any other color that is not white? For that matter, what percentage of government is? A very small percentage, and that's not a coincidence - it is a contrived situation and America's biggest problem.

I live in a part of this country where the confederate flag is flown from truck beds, from houses, and until recently from the state capital. A flag that's only meaning is "white supremecy" is proudly shown everywhere. It makes me sick. It makes me angry. But most of all it makes me feel deep pity for those with such hate in their hearts and lives. It's 2002, we haven't come very far.

My child is not white. I feel the sting of racism everyday that is aimed at him. He is not even 3 but I see parents tell their children to avoid him and I hear little children asking him, "what are you?" as if he were a 'thing' instead of a human being. I would kill to protect him from ever having to feel the hate and fear that is projected at him. Right now he does not see it, he is oblivious to it, but I do see it, and my heart breaks. I'm hoping that one day the attitudes of people in this country will change, I do what I can to try to educate people and I will make sure my son has a deep sense of self respect for his heritage and who he is. I know you've done this too - it's frustrating knowing you can't do more and you can't protect them from the larger society. My heart is with you......maybe one day it will change. You have to keep that faith.