I read “The persistence of bigotry, Western-style” with a chill crawling up my spine, and I don’t think it was the flu virus I’m battling (HCN, 12/8/08). I’m left with the strange feeling that some regional socialization patterns stopped evolving sometime around the 1950s. I doubt the children and parents telling those “jokes” have been anywhere near racially diverse regions along the coasts or in major urban areas. There is a naiveté expressed that is neither sweet nor acceptable. We are a nation of differences, and the balance of these differences is what makes us strong. The slandering “humor” carrying veiled and unveiled threats against an accomplished, well-educated and bold leader who has worked hard to be where he is today reveals what makes us weak.
JoAnn Holloway
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Banish bigotry.
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