Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 02:35:49 -0800 (PST)
From: Michele Marsh
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Dear James and readers of this wonderful website and initiative,
James you are commended for having the guts to stand up and speak on behalf of the human race, for this is an issue that affects each and every one of us.
People who oppose you are afraid. As you and I know fear is our greatest human foible. I have a deep interest in your work as I lived in America for 2 years and came away disgusted with the constant segregation of people, the avoidance towards others who are different, the intolerance and the ugly side of human nature towards other human beings. I never thought I would see the huge gaps of poverty and wealth live in the same cities in a 'modern western' nation such as America. More so I never thought I would see a class society based on colour.
Getting rid of such archiac social constructs is not easy in America as racsim has been so institutionalised and become a way of being for so many.However my greatest challenge to you and others is not to practice 'exclusion'. In your attempt to seek justice ALWAYS include , always try to win over the thoughts and hearts of those who you think will go against you. In attempting to gather support always do so in ways that sells to the person "what's in it for me" for we also are innately selfish and self-serving beings as well. Why not get sponsorship for your cause from famous celebrities, corporations who embrace diversity policies, sports associations, start a mentoring group that is inclusive i.e involves all echlons of society and most importantly all 'groups' of society. The way to win people over is to show similarities not differences, internal character not physical, and by including them. It's already happening. The more this message reaches people the easier it is ! to break down institutionalised racism such as that really dumb census classification system…good luck! You know this won't happen overnight but it will happen.