U.S. Racial Divide

Re “ ‘Day of Dialogue’ Tries to Span Racial Gulf,” Oct. 25:

I, too, like Bernie Wilsdon and Oscar Voner, have had white women tuck their purses under their arms or make sure their car doors are locked when I have walked by. I ride the bus to and from work, which necessitates me walking on the streets in which these events have occurred. I work in an office, consider myself a good dresser, and am usually in a coat and tie, an appearance which I feel pretty non-threatening. Moreover, I am white from a German/Austrian/French heritage. Interestingly, and sadly, enough, I have also had black women lock their car doors when I approached their space on my walks.

I view this situation differently than the two gentlemen. Wilsdon and Voner see these reactions against their person and their race, I see them as sad reminders of the fear and mistrust which grips many of us, particularly women--a fear which I do not think is too unwarranted. However, there is a certain personal wounding which I have felt during these incidents, and a tinge of sadness that we have come to living like this. Perhaps we have more in common than we care to admit.

MATTHEW HETZ

Los Angeles

*

* In response to the Oct. 22 article on Louis Farrakhan, I must say that despite the existence of a number of groups which advocate the death and destruction of black men, women and children, black people don’t hate white people.

More often than not, we are disappointed in their lack of understanding and their denial of the truth.

We want what we’ve always wanted--justice and equality--all that is guaranteed us in the Constitution. No more and no less.

When Minister Farrakhan addresses our need to strengthen and correct our lives, we listen. No other words matter, we are not interested in turning on other people, only in turning in toward ourselves.

Despite what people may think, we are not sheep who blindly follow without question, but we are not so stupid that we can’t recognize the truth that addresses our main concern--our social, economic and political survival.

ROSEMARY C. WATSON

Los Angeles