Reaction to Bigotry Comes From Practice

Re: Katrina Issa’s and Suzanne Lake’s responses to Sandy Banks’ column (“Where Does Black Fit In With Red, White and Blue?” July 4). It is precisely comments such as “rush to judgment” and “deeply ingrained negativity” that point to the continued denial many good-intentioned white people (ill-intentioned persons also) refuse to face. . . . I assure readers such as Ms. Issa and Ms. Lake that the hurt we African Americans continue to feel is neither a “rush to judgment” nor “deeply ingrained negativity.” You just don’t know how often so many of us shake off and disregard those feelings after an insensitive racial comment is made, or when we go into a store and are the only target of suspicious eyes, or feel as if we have to work 10 times as hard and as many hours just to “prove” our value among sometimes less-qualified peers.

Let me assure you that we always ask ourselves if we are being overly sensitive, and this self-questioning too often winds up being misplaced and consequently results in missed opportunities to enlighten or educate those whose feelings we are trying to protect, but who nevertheless remain ignorant offenders. Furthermore, can you empathize with an African American mother who agonizes over the safety of her young sons every time they drive anywhere, hoping they will not wander innocently into communities where young black males are perceived as some kind of threat? Can you empathize with what it is like to be the only person of color in a social or business setting, possibly holding more degrees than your peers and being the only one asked to do a menial task? One could go on and on. My point is that until you have walked in my (our) shoes, reflect a little longer on the issue of racism. Search your heart and some of your very own life experiences. Practice serious empathy. Please, oh, please, do not dismiss it so lightly.

--HORTENSE BRADLEY

Los Angeles