Glad to see you tell your story. As a light skinned African American I know just what you are talking about.

Brandon seems like a really smart young man. We should all just keep going regardless of what happens in your life. At the end of the day regardless of what someone has done to you or what they didn’t do to you, you are still ultimately responsible for yourself and the way your life turns out.

I believe that in 2008 yes it may a little harder for an African American to make it, but it’s definitely possible to become whatever you wish. Look at Barack Obama as living proof. The difference in people who find success in this country regardless of race and the ones who don’t are the excuses some I think it’s high time this country stop making excuses for why things are they way they are and start making results.

I watch you on the weekends and during the week when I have the opportunity and it seems that you are always reporting like you are a white man. Noone is saying do something wrong to support Blacks, just be who you are and be fair. Sometimes we see reporters who will sale their souls for their jobs. I think there must be a time in your life and mine that our principles take front seat; and if you are right and qualified the jobs will come.

Loved what you wrote, sorry you had to and glad that you have gone past it. Always look forward to your reporting on CNN, in Atlanta and on-site at various points. Enjoy your manner and infectious smile. Appreciate your career climb more now! We all need to cross those lines and keep on moving - we’re getting there.

It is amazing what people can accomplish when afforded equal opportunities. Good Job Brandon. You make me really proud!

Don, Thank you for sharing your personal story and enlightening those who may never ever understand. We can indeed impact each other’s world we just have to want and desire change. This is a huge world we live in and when we decide that change begins with us then and only then can it ever happen. Thank you!

This is a stirring, informative, and thought-provoking piece. Thank you.

Since I grew up in Long island and mixed with many different races and many oother blacks of different hues, also being a “brown” skined person, I had no knowledge of the issues that a “light-skined” person had to endure. I always thought that they had the best of two worlds. They were desired by the girls because they could make pretty babies and they were more accepted by whites because they were closer to their color. It wasn’t until I had conversations with my son, who is very light, that i came to understand the acceptance issus they deal with. I guess I never looked at them as anything else then my friend and never rejected or accepted them because of the color of their skin. We need to sop the follishness and realize that they are black just like us and stop hating on them because of the color of their skin or the type of hair the have. We are stil one tribe!

Before I say the following I don’t want to suggest that all discrimination is gone but I do think black people assume they are being discriminated against when in fact everyone gets ignored, someone else less deserving can get the job, and any number of other events. Where I’ve worked people pay attention to the individual and if you’re the smartest, I promise word will get around regardless of color or gender.

The black community must shake off their past and embrace their future. I think they have held on to the past and hurt themselves. They must stop seeing themselves as victims so they can have all the success that is out there to have. I don’t care and I’ve never heard of someone talk about how dark or light a black person is (and really no one is 100% anything specific so color is really how you see yourself). I think America is further along than the black community thinks. If they will change how they think, I believe they will find they can accomplish more.

I also think I see black women ahead of black men. I don’t know if that’s because being the ones having babies they had to face that they didn’t also get help from the fathers so they changed how they thought faster. Regardless.. they’re in college and they’ll be rising faster in business. You have to persevere and find ways to make it. The women are the ones in front.. the men will have to follow.

Thank you for sharing the story of your youth and upbringing. I very much respect you as a journalist Mr. Lemon. You inspire me with your ability to rise above the pain that our people are subjected to while choosing to be hopeful. And look what you’ve become! Thank you and keep on inspiring us! Angela - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Our youth may watch rappers on tv watch movies depicting blacks selling drugs, killing each other and gangbangin. Like what was said last night on “black in america” a high majority of white people buy those same albums watch those same movies but u have to wonder why the majority of them are not in similar situations as the minorities. It’s due to the difference in the communities in which they reside. It’s due to the lack of education in the public school system. It’s due to not getting the same praise from getting that A on ur report card tht u find some getting from having money in their pockets by selling drugs. It’s due to not seeing examples of success stories within those communities and I don’t mean making it to the NBA, NFL or any other sport. Success in educating one’s self going to college then coming back to that same community after they make it to show that anything is possible. We are bound to continue to repeat our mistakes as a race until we ourselves stop waiting for outside influences to change it for us. If each successful minority went from community to community year after year expressing options in the flesh not a movie about someone who lived 20, 30 or 40 years ago. Showing the hard work it takes to get there influencing our youth on the positives and that their is no statistic when it comes setting a goal and seeing it through. It’s a choice that is made and having the support, assistance and want to see it through!

Question: When a black person is pulled over by the police, is it always racially motivated? Based on the opinions here on CNN, it would appear so. I guess the only way to correct this is for police to never pull over black people anymore. He makes the comment, “like getting pulled over by the cops because I was driving a nice car”. I would like to know how he knows that to be fact. If he does not know that 100% to be correct then he is making a racist assumption himself. Quit blaming everything on the “white man” and the police. I’ve been pulled over before….is it because I’m white and have money?
It is easy to find excuses for your behavior when you look really hard.

This country will never get over race…too many people on both sides want to see in color instead of seeing people as they truly are….human - brothers and sisters in Christ (no matter what color).

Great article. It definately touches on some issues of the present and not so distant past.

Don is my favorite CNN Anchor. His delivery is great, his comments are sharp and interesting and his demeanor is always calm and considerate. Thanks for the Blog and for giving us insight into your background. We need to know these things so we as Americans understand our country and work harder to make it better. A lot of whites think all is well now and still don’t realize the struggle blacks have to this day.
Thank you.

Let me first start off that I am white. This story about Brandon Henry makes me feel good. Did you guys air this on your show? This would be a good lesson to all those blacks who think the world owes them everything. Brandon obviously didnt let anything hold him back. He didnt make excuses. He went out and achieved on his own. There is plenty of opportunity for everyone in this country. It doesnt matter if your black, white, green or blue. You just have to want it. Two thumbs up to Brandon. Congradulations on your success.

Don,
Your story sounds a lot like my story.

The story continues in Corporate America.

Blacks are not as divided over complexion as you are portraying it. I’m 38 and fair skin with light brown eyes. I lived in the south and north while growing up. I have a brown sister and a dark brown brother. The types of situations that are encountered amongst the different complexions are “typically” more superficial than anything else. At your age, you would know this to be true. As a matter of fact I went to Morehouse. The HBCU’s have not been divided over color in a very long time, including the fraternities. All of this race bating is hogwash and is being used as a detracter from the Obama campaign…

Great piece. i was very disappointed that the “positive” images of Black males in the documentary were primarily light skinned Blacks.. Having grown up in south Louisiana, I know well the about the skin color issue in our community. It seems that the closer Blacks resemble whites, the more they are excepted.. Nothing has changed! .

What can I say Don. I am from the South as well. 3/4 “white,” 1/4 American Indian. I grew up in a small Georgia town entirely unaware of the tensions between people of differing skin colors. My parents & grandparents, bless them, know that human is human. I asked my Grandfather, one time, about the Indian part of our family, and what had happened to the tribe. His answer was: “That is history. We are Americans now, and that is all that matters. Your duty is to live your life in the world as it exists today & excel in that environment. Bitterness over the past will only hold you back.” Of course I can “pass” for “white.” The only clues to my Indian heritage are my facial structure, the fact I cannot grow a beard & the fact I rarely burn.

It was only in my teens that I was hit in the face with the tensions that still exist. I was excoriated by a girl who started telling me my ancestors were responsible for slavery, etc. Nevermind the fact that the Indian part of my family were never slaveowners, and my “white” ancestors hadn’t emigrated from Europe. Nevermind the facts my ancestors were essentially starving until we finally started prospering in the early 1900’s.

It is time for people to start dealing with the individuals they know as individuals. And afford them the same kind of respect they would like to receive themselves.

Great article Don Lemon. I watch you frequently. I see prejudice with blacks on blacks. Sometimes, it isn’t skin color, it is frequently socio-economic divisions. We all need to keep going to make things better.

I like your story. It’s interesting to hear how other people have lived. I admire you for becoming what you have. The only thing I regret is most of the stories during this Black in America thing is people don’t take into account it goes both ways.

I am a white girl who has grown up in an inner city surrounded by all races. Some of my best friends are black and pakistani. When I talk to them and people around me I don’t see color. I see another person. I thought long and hard about it and it is true, I don’t just say that.

I went to inner city schools and often times were picked on because I was not black. We get called all sorts of racial slur names as well. I’ve been ganged up on and hit because I was not black. I’ve been harassed, both verbal and sometimes boarderline sexual. I had a knife pulled on me in 3rd grade by a black guy and was told I would be cut up after school unless I submitted sexually to his brother. When I complained to adults, principles, teachers, I was told they didn’t want to hear about it. I was being racist for saying such bad things about black people.

It’s situations like this that make a person hate another race. I still enjoy my friends, but I think twice before I go into any store or neighborhood that is mostly black. I find I am afraid to. So things go both ways. It’s not just blacks who get this treatment.

Thank you for the article. I grew up in Venezuela - Dad worked for an oil company. We didn’t have prejudice there - I first learned about it when I came to the US for high school. Was accosted by a group of blacks because I was white & in the wrong part of town. Not a pleasant experience. Saw prejudice during pilot training when black students were given twice the amount of “downs” or flight failures as white students to “meet quotas”. The list goes on and on.

My grandfather was an American working for the oil companies in Mexico. When the oil companies were nationalized, he stayed there, ranched, and married. My father was born in Mexico and went to high school and college here in the US - just like I did. Today, I am proud to say that I am an American of German and Mexican descent. First and foremost, though, I am just an American.

It’s interesting to me that there are no “black Venezuelan”, “black Costa Rican”, “black Cuban”, “black Puerto Rican” major league baseball players. They’re just Costa Rican, Cuban, or Puerto Rican ball players. However, their colonial history mirrors that of the US to a great degree.

As long as there’s money to be made from being different, special, or unique, prejudice will flourish. As long as there are quotas and political gains to be had, prejudice will flourish. As it continues, it will make it even harder for those such as yourself to be viewed without reservation by others. Thank you for being “just one of us” - no better, no worse, no different.

I grew up in Chicago and experienced much the same things as you. I didn’t fit into the black community and certainly not the whites. I was called “high yellow” most of my life and I did and still do have what they call “good hair”. I got beat up growing up by black kids for infractions such as going to a private school, talking “proper”, wearing a uniform to school and just because of they way I looked, supposedly I thought I was better than everyone else. All I really wanted to do was fit in and make friends. Not the easiest thing to do in that situation.

In college in Wisconsin, the only fraternity/sorority at the was an all black one. My older brother adviced me not to join because of some things he knew happened there, so I didn’t. Because I didn’t join and just attended my classes, I then became the victim of severe harassment by the members of the fraternity/sorority. On 2 occasions, I was held against my will and lectured by them for not joining and asked why I did not have a “token” black friend.

Despite the growing pains, I too learned to expect racism by both groups and ignore a lot of it. I believe that I’m a much stronger person for these experiences and I embrace all nationalities as being created by GOD. Being black in America is definitely rocky at times but also inspiring and rewarding.

“Of course there were the usual infractions from whites like getting pulled over by the cops because I was driving a nice car, getting followed around by security guards in retail stores, being ignored by restaurant and bar staff. Sadly I had to learn to accept it, even expect it. But it somehow cut to the quick when black people did it. It hurt me deeply. Hey, whose side are you on anyway?”

I know that sounds awful… but if you look at the DOJ numbers, African Americans have crime rates that are rediculously high for the percentage of their population.. Go look at them before you get too hurt. Then if you imagine why their is this correlation you can understand your own pain better. Also remember that Black people arent the only one’s who are being accused of shoplifting despite being innocent. I have been stopped twice as a customer, and once as an employee of a large company who I wont name. Do I think this happens to black people more often, yes. Do I think African Americans cause more crime relative to their population, yes, the DOJ numbers say so.

Its kind of like this: I am a very large, tall, blue-eyed white man, and I am expected to be a racist and sexist and because I am “priviledged”, and the world’s problems exist because of me. Why, because there are so many white men in the world who fit this bill and are in positions of power. I am not in a position of power, I am not racist or sexist nor do I have any priviledge because I’m poor and my parents were born poor.

Bottom line, dont let it get you down, you know who you are. Remember, peoples perceptions change very slowly, but it’s better that they are changing slowly than not at all.

Glad I’m not the only one who gets ignored by bartenders

I am very proud of CNN for taking time to do this special. It is educating for all races. So often the negative images of blacks are the ones that are put on TV and those images are the ones that make their way outside of the States. As a former Soldier, I would litteraly cringe whenever I was overseas, and see the negative stereotypical images of black women in rap videos. I tried very hard to be the antithesis to those images. I must respond to Lou, the Asian-American and his apparent tiredness of black people whining and complaining. I am glad to see that you are comfortable enough with the fruits of both the labor and sacrifice of those black people who marched and fought for civil rights of which ANY minority group including poor white people are the beneficiary of. When you are quietly in the background benefitting from the sacfifice of others try to not to complain too hard whilst the children of that movement are still trying to push the equality agenda forward.

This is the type of stories about young Black males that should be displayed on the front page of the paper. Not all Black males chose the “thug route”. Life is about choices, and there are a lot of Black males who are making the right choices. However, we only get to see the ones who are dropping out of school and/or on their way to prison. The meida so unfair.

Congrats to you Brandon, it’s young adults like you who will help change America’s perception of the Black male.

In today’s day and age there are so many organizations driven towards the black community. Each of these organizations tries to empower black people to exceed what they have dubbed their predetermined future as a criminal, drug user, or single parent (as mentioned in the article above). Each of these organizations aspire for GREAT things in the black community.

Turn the page on this; what do you think the response would be from the black community had we switched one word in that paragraph. If we had changed “black” to “white” it’d be a racist and discriminative organization. As it stands now, it’s considered a beneficial community organization. In other words, it’s another one of society’s examples of a double standard.

I really enjoyed this article. My one gripe is that if Blacks are giving Blacks a hard time, then why all the political focus on Whites giving Blacks a hard time? Is it ok for Blacks to discriminate? If Whites were killing Blacks at the rate that Blacks are in places like Birmingham, Memphis and Atlanta, there would be a second round of “Rodney King riots.”

I think this just proves that regardless of who you are, you have to deal w/ idiots any where you are. There is just a % that don’t like anybody. They have to hate someone and if it wasn’t you it would be somebody else.

Just a comment in general - This is a very interesting and worthwhile series of articles. It is giving me an insight into some things that, as a white man, I had no idea were part of daily life for African Americans. Just gaining some insight into someone else’s daily life takes them from faces in the crowd to someone you know at least a little bit. From that comes understanding and, hopefully, improved relations.

Wow Don thank you so much for writing this. I found myself both laughing and getting teary eyed in parts. Sounds like you had an amazing grandmother. There is just something about a grandmother that is extra special. We all thank her as well for what she did in raising you to be a great man.

It has been fantastic to see pieces from Don, TJ and Tony, Stephanie and Lola. I would love to head from Fredricka on this topic as well.

Why do we have this article about Black In America this is racism. I have never seen article white in America, Immigrants they all have dreams and goals in there live. People please stop feeling sorry for Black in America they are same as white, yellow,

It is sad to say, that when I was a kid, I thanked GOD for being lightskinned with “good” hair. I remember growing up how the darker skin black kids were teased, how they became angry and resentful ( how could you blame them). My mom always thought us the black people shouldn’t worry about skin color among other blacks, but she also thought us that we should avoid marrying a man with dark skin or nappy hair. I was confused, was my loyalty to be to my race or my color? Even today when I see a very dark skinned child with kinky hair, I have to stop myself from thinking, “why didn’t this childs parents think about that before they had her?”. It’s a sad statement, but I know that alot of times I am treated better than some counterparts because of my skin color. Men are more likley to open doors for me, I have a better chance of getting the job over a more traditional looking African-American female. I am scared for nieces, who have dark skin, that they will not get the same treatment in life as my son. When I walk into a “black” establishment, people atomatically say how cute he is, how sweet.. ( My son cute), without even getting a good look. I know it’s because of his light skin and silky hair. I know it’s wrong, but sometimes I thank God that my son is lightskinned with “good” hair

Great article, Don! I watch you every day on the CNN Newsroom, and I like your delivery style. I’m also a fan of T.J. Holmes, as well as Tony Harris; as a black man, I’m encouraged by CNN’s commitment to diversity. I thoroughly enjoyed Soledad O’Brien’s 2-part documentary, “Black in America.” In fact, I’ll probably watch it again this weekend.

I can also relate to your personal story. I lost my mother when I was 6 and my father when I was 11. I had two aunts who could pass for white women, one of whom raised me and enrolled me in Catholic elementary school. As a light-skinned black person (I have “good” hair too), I experienced some of the same resentment from darker-skinned blacks. I also experienced ridicule from black friends for the way that I spoke; because I was taught to speak using proper English and was articulate, I was accused of sounding “white.” Now I’m glad I learned to speak well because it has served me well in my life and my professional career. The ability to speak well and articulate one’s thoughts, in my opinion, may be the single most important skill a person can have.

Thanks for sharing your story!

This was a very eloquent account of what growing up Black in the south is like. I too am a Black southerner and lamented on many occasions that I didn’t have “good hair”. My part Black, part Cherokee grandmother who had light skin and straight hair was insistent about running a straightening comb through my hair on a daily basis to keep the curls (or the naps as she called them) from coming back. I realize now that she grew up in a different era where Black beauty was not celebrated and the more white you looked, the prettier you were thought to be . Thus, she didn’t know any better.

Years later though, it still pains me that distinctions are made between light skinned and dark skinned Blacks in our community. While we as a race have made many advances, we still seem stuck on skin color and hair.

I cannot count the number of Black friends and acquaintances who discouraged me for allowing my hair to go natural; thereby ending about 20 yrs of using chemical straightners. Many of my light skinned friends and family members are often questioned by other Blacks as to whether they are mixed or Hispanic or White. Black comes in a lot of different hues of brown and to parapharase India.Arie, we are not our hair.

The focus should be on our common experiences; our successes and struggles in this country, not on the vestiges of slavery that were mean’t to divide us.

It is remarkable to hear about discrimination within a race, but it is not really unprecedented. Even among whites, there is internal discrimination, mostly between “northern” europeans and “southern” europeans, with the southern europeans being “darker”. In Boston, these camps were predominantly Irish origin and Italian origin, and there has been acrimony between the ethnic groups as vitriolic as that between black and white.

I have also learned that in Italy, northern italians look down on their darker southern citizens, and mainland italians have utter contempt for the much darker sicilians.

I understand that the distinction (and discrimination) between lighter and darker skinned blacks also exists in Europe. So it isn’t a black american problem.

It would be nice to see this race problem end by the time I am gone from this earth but the way things are going, I dont see it happening. A major part of this “racial discrimination” problem comes from upbringing. If a parent enstills in their children’s mind from early on these racial problems then they will never go away. If parents now would raise their children with open minds and to accept everyone, no matter their color, religion etc, we could get past these problems. But as long as their are problem stirring people out there (Al Sharpton) (David Duke) things will never get better. Those men dont want equality, they want to create more problems. No matter what it is, someone will find a way to turn anything into a racial issue. I am so over this slave issue too. I am not a slave owner, the current black community were not slaves, get over what happened so long ago. We cannot change what our ancestors did and who they did it to, all we can do is go forward with open minds and stop dwelling on the past. As long as you live in the past you will never see your future. I do have faith that one day things will get better, it might take a catastropic event that would force us all to lean on each other and draw strength from one another. I hate that you cannot turn on the t.v. without hearing this kind of trash. Like this “Black in America” documentary, all that was aimed to do was start more trouble. Lay off of things like that. Do documentaries on everyone working together to build a homeless family a home or raise money for children that are dying because they cant afford the medicine to keep them alive. If people keep shoving racism down peoples throats it will never go away because all it does it get everyone envolved more angry at the other side. All I’m saying is get over it everyone, black, white, purple, green, gold, brown, yellow, whoever. Martin Luther King is probably turning over in his grave at the way things are handled now, he didnt go about things like they are done today. He didnt show up everywhere someone said something racial and try to draw everyone in the country into it and make it more than what it was. With that I leave everyone with this piece of advice,
“Open Minds, Open Hearts or Closed Doors to the Future”. It’s our choice, let’s make a responsible one.

I’m Mexican, medium brown in color. I live in Northwest Ohio. I’ve meet people from Mexico who came here to work, they call me “white girl”.That doesn’t bother me I hardly speak any Spanish, most people just assume I do. All people of color are looked at differently, within and outside there race. It’s how you deal with it that matters.

This article is much better than the last few. He did hit the nail on the head: Its not white people that cause all the problems, its black parents.

Whites dont think that all black people are bad fathers, thieves or violent thugs. We do have a problem when we see otherwise good african americans standing by and defending these dead beat dads, criminals and gang bangers and throwing the race card out for people like tookie williams. Sometimes I think blacks are more worried about being black than doing the right thing.

It is wonderful that CNN is doing the series Black in America. As a women of color I experienced up and downs in my life. One of the things I learned when I was introduced to Buddhism was that you have to take personal responsiblity for your life. When you begin working on yourself that can have a positive efffect on the environment. I
Sometimes as Black Americans we focus too much on the subject of race. At times that can hold us back. Instead we should be focusing on improving ourselves orour inner growth. I saw a phrase in a office that said “Attitude is Everything”.
Dealing with situations and people can be a challenge at times. But this is what life is about. It is important to learn how to keep going on.

It is tiring to continually hear the victim card played, especially from a privileged media elite like Don Lemon. As a thrirty somewthing white male living in the year 2008 I would like to know when there is going to be a moratorium put in place on this victimization racket.

Don, thank you for being candid. This is not “dirty laundry”. It was and still sometimes is reality. I believe Daniel is not being honest with himself. Especially if he went to Morehouse. They do practive the paper bag test even if it is unspoken. Their is also a lot of classism. I don’t see this as distracting from the Obama campaign. We have to be honest about this problem and confront it. I’m happy Obama is the one black person to have gotten the close to the presidency because he doesn’t have the same mentality of some blacks that were raised in the U.S. and have not traveled internationally. He is not a victim and neither is Michelle.

That’s why interracial relationships are always a bad idea. It’s the kids that have to suffer.

Thanks for sharing your story, Don. I enjoy watching you on Newsroom!

I think it’s very easy for people that are white (as I am) to sit back and say that racism isn’t that bad or that maybe blacks just see what they want to see. But until you’ve dealt with it I’m not so sure it’s easy for us to judge.

Depending on where you live in the country you may have a different experience. When I lived in Mass. there wasn’t as much of problem in the area I lived in. But now, living in the south I do know it’s a bigger issue. I’ve been with black friends and seen some of these things that Don has described happen. It’s not a figment of their imagination. The point is, some white people are bad, some black people are bad as well as every other race. Why do we have to think that all people of the same race are the same?

Until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes how can we judge?

“Black in America” is one of the most powerful TV shows I have ever watched. Simplified, we very serious internal crisis to address. Although I am well informed there is a problem, but never thought it is as deep and as complex as this. The crisis is multi-faceted and hence needs multifaceted solutions. Many are to blame for the crisis: the black community, the government, racial discrimination (racism)… Yet, we run around the world and spend billions a week to solve world problems and to “democratize” the world whereas our own house is so dirty and cracked and needs urgent cleaning and repair. Now I clearly understand why some do not listen to us, pointing fingers at our own internal crisis we prefer to ignore.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. As a white woman in the south, I am incredibly curious about the black experience, but unsure whether it’s okay to ask about it directly. I’ve enjoyed Soledad’s series and the accompanying articles here on the site.

White on white prejudice is as common as black on black. Prejudice is everywhere and we ‘re kidding ourselves if we believe it’s going away soon. The older I get, the harder I try to get along with everyone. However, nothing will make me more angry than someone of a different color, approaching me as if I’m the enemy.

I am touched beyond words by your story. I have long respected your abilities as I watch CNN every day. And as a white American, I am appalled that bigotry still exists to this degree. I hope that we will soon evolve into a truly civilized country and these prejudices will be put aside. While raised in a predominantly white community to parents who were biased, my experiences and education have shaped me differently. But one thing that I noticed during my college days was that black students frequently refused friendly overtures from white students and it certainly was an education into what prejudice felt like. My work for the Obama campaign has been fabulous…we have all seen how great things can be when we all work together. Best wishes for a continued bright future.

Great commentary!

Thanks for sharing your story, Don. In more ways than one, I can relate to this article. I attend Howard University and aspire to become a journalist, too. And yes, it is sad that many of these things, including the “brown paper bag” test, still exists in 2008! I believe this story will open the eyes of those who have become naiive of the world around them. Racism is still alive, but regardless, as an African American young woman, this story gives me the inspiration to continue to keep moving forward. And keep up the good work, Brandon!

Congratulations CNN and Soledad O’Brien. The Series was excellent I am sure it will win many awards. I was pleased to see that you pulled no punches and showed the whole picture of the black experience in America. Including both the horrors and legacy of slavery, second class citizenship and racism, as well as the self inflicted injuries including absent fathers and poor choices made by single mothers, criminals etc. I would suggest that CNN undertake a project called White in America in which you can parallel a lot of the stories about the impact of poverty, drugs, Columbine style disaffection, crime and some heart rendering stories about overcoming obstacles, personal achievement and the role of institutions like the church. You might also want to tough upon reverse discrimination.

I just wanted to add that besides enjoying your article I found it refreshing to hear you story. I myself find until we start to realize there is but one race the human race we will never get past the race issue as a society. I’m a self proclaimed mut and am not sure what all of my ancestors are (as most are not even if they think otherwise) but have found people will always descriminate for one reason or another and even though a person of darker skin may be treated differently they do not ever have to let the ignorance of others dictate there own actions or future. You seem to be a stronger better person for your past as am I and hope you inspire more to do the same.
Thank you

People like Robert, Casey amazes me. (shaking my head)
Dont try to use this guy situation to all black people are not trying because it doesnt always turn out this way. by the grace of guy it worked out for him. the outcome is always the same for others and stop trying to use this story to justify the problem the GOB (Good Ole Boys) is still causing for people of color.

There are white people who do not discriminate. I feel that I am one of them. I also don’t deny that there are many who are racist.

I have been ignored, pulled over many times, and declined jobs in the past. I am not sure why, that’s just how life is sometimes, for all of us. I think some of the examples being used over the course of the past 2-3 days are truly race-based, and others are not.

I commend you for your story and wish you and the students all the best.

I’ve totally been there! Here I would be having a conversation with a darker skinned black person and a white person together and be perceived by both of them as two different colors at the same time! I’ve been an enigma to both sides because of what we do as people–we have to categorize each other. There are many different facets of ourselves and to put everybody into one group limits us all.

I hear lots of talk from white people going on about the crime of black people. Well if you sat daily and watched CNN you would see it is not so. Sometimes I watch my local news and a crime is commited and the race is not said. That’s when I know it was a white person. If it is a juvenile being killed and they can’t release the name the media will somehow show a feet going in the ambulance to let you know they were black. If I thought like white people I would be afraid to go to college because I would lump them all in the category of school shooters but I don’t. I could also think they were serial killers, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Danner, the man who put his daughter in the basement for 18 years and commited incest, the list goes on. And I’m not saying blacks are not killing each other, but they are not the only ones commiting crimes.

The more you bring up a sense of inferiority, the more those who fit into the physical mold of the perceived superiority will assume they are entitled to that state of being… and vice versa. The whole “being black in America” is doing and will do more harm than good. What the article is doing is segregating the population even more into two separate groups. Black and Non-black. Now all we need is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton (the kings of the American Black Race) to voice their opinion (which we’ve been hearing for decades and has only escalated a sense of segregation).

If you really think about it, don’t you think this is a back-handed way to keep black people thinking they are inferior, rather than empowering? This segment does NOTHING… it just points out the obvious… no one is more informed because of these articles and segments. I watched the program on CNN a couple nights ago and all i heard was “we need to………” about 1,000 times.

Do it or don’t do it. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT! ACT!

“Oh, poor me, I can’t get a taxi to stop for me, people at resturants ignore me.” Stop whining and DO SOMETHING! no one gives you a free ride anymore.

What segment is going to air next year? “Still Black in America”?

This is a joke.

I attended an HBCU that was probably the inspiration for Spike Lee’s “School Daze”. We had our first dark skinned school Queen in 1970 when James Brown challenged us to “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!” I have met light skinned women who sought the darkest mates that they could find to ensure that their children would not be subjected to the treatment that they encountered. For some of the whites who commented on this article, I appreciate your attention to the subject but I challenge you to look deeper to try to understand what is being said and what actually happens. Black males do get pulled over by the cops and asked questions like, “Is this your car?” and “Where are you going?”, while receiving no citation (DWB). We do occassionally speed. But when we do, the situation could vey rapidly go from simply being issued a ticket to a life-threatening event. Why?

Thank you, the world already knows the struggle…… That is the next step. Stop whinning that the good had no time on the air. Everyone wanting the spot light. Your help to the community should speak volumes if you are truly for helping. Those of you who are mentor,teacher, and leaders, good job. CNN did the right thing to show the problems we face. Now, what are we going to do about it? Bill Cosby was correct in what he has said to us. And crime runs wild where there is no teaching present of GOD. Let’s get to work.

I met Don when he was in Philly and he did a story on my daughter who was very ill at the time, he was very professional and caring, he left a good impression on me which says a lot, because Philly is very hard on news people in general, and I am glad he made the jump to national news and I wish him the best.

I’m glad to see CNN is finally running a story that doesn’t just target white people as being racist.

To the flight instructor: You have a great message, but it could be expanded to include just about anyone (Irish, Jews, Muslims, poor people) who has ever succeeded despite terrible circumstances. To use myself as an example, I’m the product of a mid 1970s teen pregnancy. To make matters worse this happened in a small town in back woods, Bible belt Arkansas. Where did my teenaged dad go? Who knows, somewhere in Iowa last I heard. Some of my first memories are of my mom holding my hand in her coat pocket as we walked, before daylight, to the Head Start across town on her way to work. Fast forward a couple of decades; I’ve worked my way through college and grad school, and now in my early 30s I’m in senior management for a large defense company. Considering my start in life, I’m pretty successful. I work around a lot of what I like to call “blue bloods” y’know the Harvard graduates, the “I studied in France for a semester” types. They don’t always treat me like an equal; it rubs me the wrong way, but who cares! We all put our pants on one leg at a time.

Don’t get me wrong, the circumstances of your upbringing were probably terrible, but it looks like you’ve broken through the cycle of poverty and crime and bad decisions. That’s the beauty of America! For the most part, what you become is completely up to you. It’s the decisions YOU make with the circumstances under which you were born that determine whether you’ll end up living in a nice suburb or in a penitentiary. So, I encourage anyone with a less than perfect start…black skin, dark skin, light skin, Irish, Jew, hillbilly…whatever! Get the chip off your shoulder and make something out of what God has given you.

All I can say is I thank God for this younger generation of black and white kids who are catching on fire for Jesus. They are the ones who will tear down the wall of racism on both sides. All they want to see is other young people saved and enjoying life. They don’t care the color of the skin or how much money the other one has in his or her pocket.
I for one am so tired of all the fighting and bickering between the races and within our own race.
People lets get it together before we all tear this planet apart with hate and violence and no one will be able to claim the victory.

This series is eye-opening for all of us Americans. I disagree with fellow Whites who argue that we are feeling sorry for Blacks in America. Thats not the point of the series. For all Idiots who have never taken American History listen up! Turns out Whites & Blacks Have had very bad relations in this country forever. Guess What? Maybe if we attempted to understand blacks we could relate more and finally put this race issue behind us like the rest of the world has done. Get it?

This is a subject that I have studies closely over the years. However, I must point out, that a lot of those things that minorities point out as racism (i.e. being followed in stores etc.) might not be as racially related as you think. I have noticed that this same pattern happens to poor people in general these days. 15-30 years ago might be different though. I am as white as white gets. I am of scottish descent, so I get that glow in the dark white going. However, I was raised by bikers (true bikers, not the weekend bikers) and therefore quite poor. I found that I was followed in most stores throughout the 80’s, as were my friends. Even today, when I have been working outside and have to run to the store, I get followed if I am a little dirty and in old clothes. I have been pulled over by the police for the same thing. At one point, I moved out of Georgia due to the constant harrasment (almost daily) by the police. I noticed that this very much depended on whether I was in an old beater or in a nicer car. So my question is… has anyone entertained the idea that some of this is geared toward poor? not race? Not that I am saying that minorities dont have it rough, but I am also aware that many minorities think that being white, is the same as being born with a silver spoon in your mouth. I am a designer these days and worked my way out of place I was at.. even now I notice an odd trend. When designing print material for clients, there is only one ethnic group that is consistantly allowed to be removed from a document due to their color… and that is a white person. We are openly allowed to take white people out of a photo, but we have to make certain that all other races are represented properly at some point. I have found that odd. I believe that everyone is so concerned about race that they end up becoming racists themselves. I personally try to not think of race at all. How could I. I come from trash. It’s hard to point fingers when your own parents are worse than most ethnic stereotypes.

Great article.. it still appears that some persons (of all races) do not really understand the longlasting and deep scarring effects of Americas racial history.. I am willing to bet that any African American if given a TRUE chance to succeed would willingly take it and if it unobstructed would commit to living a righteous life. However as James Johnson points out, he believes that we are all the same when frankly we are not..

First of all, I am still digesting the series “Black in America” to make heads or tails of it. Not sure what the point was or if it hit it’s mark. Secondly CNN please give Tara Wall her walking papers. She is my homegirl, but she is horrible(not an original thought in her head and her arguments are whack and weak)
Oh yeah, please stop putting on jerks like Joseph Phillips to push their poorly written books and poorly crafted points. His presence was a very low point in the program. A discruntled black man.

Like the series, I feel you have put more attention on the things that are more difficult to change and may always exist. Prejudice. Within and outside of the Black community. If we were able to focus on the things that could change it would weaken this prejudice. Change these laws that are designed to put more black men in prison. Make education a priority. If higher education were acessible, more children would finish high school. Kids know at a very early age a high school degree has very little worth in this nation. Don, where your from, children know college exists, but it doesn’t for them. I can bet you went to college because you knew it existed and it was going to be your reality.
When I was growing up, people who went to prison, wnet to get rehabilitated. Rehab is only for the rich and priviledged today. Make one mistake your life is all but over today. That has to change.
We will not change the attitudes we have toward one another, until the things that are designed to keep us apart are changed.

E B Smith

Good column on life perspectives, racial issues, and the forever changing life living environment! Great read and congradualations on a great article!

Don,
Always enjoy your reporting at the anchor. I by no means consider you a sellout. That is the same ignorance that has so many young people at risk today in the black community. I am a minister who deals with at risk youth who for some odd reason that they should portray a lack of intelligence, good diction, and respect for our elders who laid the ground work for us. I truly know from my experience as the only black baseball player at my university, to being a young black officer in the Air Force, you set the standard for your people as well as becoming a stereo type buster. Kudos to you my brother for being real in all you do!

I grew up in a military town in Texas. People from all over the world came to my small town due to the military. So, my environment has always been diverse and I did not realize how much people segregate themselves until I moved away for college. I am thankful for my upbringing because it prevented me from attaining the mentality of “sticking with your own kind.” I am two ethnicities (not races because there is only ONE human race) and was taught to be a part of both instead of picking one over the other in order to belong/fit in. I believe the main reason why people stick to their own and encourage/force others to do the same is because of adherence to negative stereotypes. One day I hope Americans will stop putting forth the effort to stick to their own, because you do it on purpose. And the reason behind the effort is probably rooted in fear, ignorance, and adherence to negative stereotypes. So, if I were to create a banner expressing my solution to the prejudice people practice in their lives and infect into the social/economic systems of our nation it would be: “STOP TRYING TO STICK WITH YOUR OWN!” You try too hard.

Thank-you Don Lemon for sharing your story. We have quite a few things in common, even though I am African-Canadian. Certainly, I have not had to endure the obvious injustices of the American south, but Canada has it’s own problems of race relations, albeit to a lesser degree. I truly admire your tenacity. You are a wonderful journalist, one that deserves more exposure. I do hope CNN will give you your ‘just dues’. Did I mention you’re pretty easy on the eyes as well? Good luck in your endeavours, Don!
Cheryl

I enjoyed reading about the challenges Brandon faced and how very positive he is trying to be. I can only hope that those of us who are white will start to overcome our bad behavior towards the black community. I have been taught by a good mother to treat all people with proper respect that I would like to be treated with “the golden rule”. But unfortunately to many white people don’t want to change for whatever reason and I try as I might to tear down those walls with hopefully a positive behavior model for them.

I am a white male from a northern state and I have to say that this article totally opened my eyes, I never knew that there was discrimination between Light and Dark Skinned black folks, its bad enough that they have to deal with it at all but amongst their same race ??? Also I agree with J S Bazile, the media does go off on the deep end and show the Black male in that light, its kind of how you treat other people or even a child, you cant just show them all of the BAD they are doing, you also have to uplift and show the GOOD as well. Young Black men do not have enough good role models for inspiration and part of that is the media’s fault. If you wake up every day and all you see and hear is this is the way black men are I think at some point you will start to believe it. Its like anything, if you hear it enough it becomes truth. By the way if the bartender in Male, I get ignored by him too….. There is discrimination everywhere and there shouldnt be, without knowing each other, we all owe each other as human beings a certain amount of respect (most people dont give each other this), that respect should be there until the other person gives you a reason to take it away. Never NEVER go into any situation with a pre-determined idea on how another person is for any reason. Let them show you what they are and then except them for who they are.

I have read this article as well as some others about the Black issues. I just always don’t understand why its always questioned why blacks are arrested and pulled over. Why does it happen? I think all you need to do is look at the statistics of crime. There is approx 18,000 murders a year in the US. Of these about 70% are done by mainly Black males. This is not a 1 year stat or 5 years or 10. This goes on and on and yet they wonder why they are arrested and why cops pull them over. This never seems to change either. If you want to be respected and you want people to trust you then start by making these statics cleared. Stop murdering each other, get to school, and start thinking that life is valued by all.

I really enjoyed this article from the beginning to the end. I wished that our race of people would stop saying that they cant make it in life because the white man is holding them down. Anyone can make it in life if they put GOD first. Yes, black people have had it hard in life and is still having it hard today. If our ancestors/slaves had given up back in the day where would we be. We have struggles in life but its only to make us stronger and to let us know who is really in charge. We will never be able to go forward if we dont stop living in the past. I see and hear things that go on in life today that concerns blacks but I cant stop living and start pointing fingers. I dont understand how we as blacks can walk around and call each other the *N* word and whats up my dog and have no problem with it, why get upset when another race use the same words. You have to respect yourself before you expect others to respect you. Its not right to be called the *N* word by anyone whether black and sure not someone thats a different race. We all can make a change or at least try to. GOD BLESS !

I have watched CNN Black in America each night along with all of the comentary. I came up in an all white neighborhood during the 50’s and 60’s and have since lived in an intergrated neighborhood, and have many black well educated femail friends. My insit to this I was aware of but not to the extent that the program offered. I truely enjoyed this article and truly it is harder for all people of different skin colors along with women of all color including white. CNN keep up all the great programing!

Some of these responses I’m reading show me that America is still in denial of its race issue. When Lemon said he got pulled over for having a nice car many of you responded that it wasn’t the reason at all and he shouldn’t make himself a “victim”. I guess you dont realize how many towns (mostly small towns) still operate in a racial manner in America. As a white female I know this still happens, my friends tell me stories of situations where they were treated poorly based only on the color of their skin and I have also seen it occur. IT’S NOT MADE UP, THIS CRAP STILL HAPPENS. I just wish people would stop acting like minority groups live in a perfect world and just take it for granted and focus on their past. White America will never understand their struggle, the least the rest of you could do is maybe be ENRICHED by another culture for a change. Stop being too prideful to realize where these people are coming from with these feelings, you would feel the same way if it happened to you.

Good perspective of life.
Icaution people to who get caught up in the “pro” backwoods country view of african american society, where simple comforts are the norm and recognize that just as every american in this country our experiences develop our personalities. Just because one black person “sounds white” and beleive me I’ve beentold that I’m the whitest black guy a white person has ever seen. lol, even though I grew up in the middle of watts, Los angeles california. My mother stayed on us about diction, saying noone wants to deal with someone that can’t speak well or speaks sterotypical, it’s the creme that rises to the top that people want around them. It’s the content of character that people look for. Being dark skinned was a curse when I grew up, the 6 darker skinned kids from Elementary - High school “i included” where constantly made aware of the “inferiority” of darker skin by our peers, and the journey of reconciliation was not short and was not happy. I hated darker skinned people for a long time, even though I was one. That shame is nulled now, I have my children now and it is my duty to instruct them in the ways of morality, patience, truth and pride. These are qualities I cannot shirk or they “will” end up in jail like the rest.
With this said, thanks for sharing, stories are like genetalia, everyone has them, but it’s how you use them that leaves a legacy of positive growth or severe drought or morals upon the planet.

Admittedly, the proclaimed racists haven’t helped anything in America, but a much bigger problem the last 40 or 50 years have been the liberal do-gooders and poverty pimps. Being white and having married a black woman in 1969 Texas and moving to Oklahoma gives me some authority to speak, I think. For the most part, there has never been a problem. We experienced very little racism and were accepted by our friends and co-workers with no problems. Generally there was never any mention of our different races except by the liberals who were constantly trying to convince us that we were being treated differently and we should be pissed about it. Just like this series, that is what is dividing America. If the liberals would quit trying to make a living out of racism and get the votes of minorities, it would have improved a lot by now, but they are constantly trying to stir the pot.

Wow, J Johnson your statement just proves how closed your eyes are. We are all different and that’s okay. Everyone doesn’t have it easy in life like you may have. No one is the same again that ’s okay but its not okay when blacks are still being disciminated against in this day and age. Did you not watch the segement at all? I feel sorry for you if you didn’t.

I applaud you Don Lemon. I really enjoy your anchoring
and reporting on CNN. I happen to think you are a stellar
interviewer who really tries to get at the heart of the matter.
One way for parents to confront these images is for them
to direct their kids to people like Brandon. When I have kids.
I would much rather they watch CNN for a couple of hours
than the music video channels. Which leads me to an
important question, will there be a day when CNN would
have a news program for kids, teens and young adults
ages 18-34.

I am sorry, but I had a hard time following your article. You address these issues on a superficial basis without going into more detail. I honestly have to say since coming over here to the United States, I have never experienced so much self-hatred and concerns about skin color. This issue is being handed down from birth on. I know other countries specificially South America and Asia have similar issues where whole governments are built upon the lighter the skin the higher you rank. I personally see this issue of division not getting any better as there is a huge influx of the latin population now moving into the United States. I myself feel looked at at times when I pass people of latin descent with my very fair-skinned husband, which they all think is latin. No, I always feel like saying, he is black just like me, except that I am darker. But, in the end change starts with us. We need to teach our children no matter what color you are, you are beautiful.

This is such a touching and true story. Everything that you said I can remember it all as if it were yesterday about our small town. It is good to tell the true because we never know who’s reading it. Don, I attend the church where your grandmother was a member, and your aunt still is. I remember what a sweet person your grandmother was. She loved her church and we loved her. I know all about the main highway that runs through this small town and the railroad track that divided the races. We are so proud of our hometown son. This shows that if you are totally commited you can be anything you desire to be .

Faye Rose,

It’s ignorant comments like yours that bother me. How would you suggest he present himself? I think he presents himself well keep going Don.

James Johnson,

You and people who think like you are the reason we need to continue to educate people. So called freed people die at the hands of their so called fellow citizens just a few decades ago for wanting the same thing they had. If the roles were reversed the title of the show would be White in America. Most immigrants are treated better than most blacks, who just happen to be lagging behind the majority already. “Free you mind and the rest will follow”. Never mind that might be to hard for you!

I am a 62 yr old WF. As such I was raised in a black/white society. Most white children didn’t know anything about why we weren’t supposed to associate with blacks. We just did what we were told. Schools were intergrated when my oldest son started 1st grade. I never had a problem with his black teachers or classmates-my problem was when he would be the only white in the room. Today, most people really don’t pay attention to the color of a person’s skin. What they do pay attention to is when people of color can obtain expensive houses with 3% loans & no matter how many times they have their homes repossed-they are into another one within the year. They have most of the state/federal jobs in the south-even when they are not the most qualified. There is racism on both sides, but not withstanding the KKK & such hate groups, blacks are much more racist against whites than the other way around. I am proud of any person who can better theirselves but I believe you should earn it just like I have. I applaud you Don on your success & wish anyone whos works the same success.

How about being black, African and a college student at a HBCU in the mid 70’s in Alabama.

You had no friends, no family and did not understand what in the world was going on around you.

You fall back solely on the discipline and lessons imparted by your parents. Life is not about what is giving to you. It is mostly about where you desire to go.

When I read this piece, and when I see others similar to it, I realize that those of us who are white ought to realize the losses that discrimination has visited upon us. By historically closing ourselves to the talents and skills and genuine brotherhood of all men, we perhaps have squandered the opportunity to know more Brandons, more Barack Obamas, and, yes, even more Don Lemons. We would have been enriched by their potential contributions to our society over the years, and we would be better for having known them. But I see a changing world, too, and this will be a change for the better. The walls of separation are falling. There is hope for us yet.

I have read some of the posts here and I really like the discussion. To those with the “I get stopped too!!” statements, have you been stopped for speeding and not given a ticket, but asked to get out of your car and your car tore apart looking for drugs??? This has happened to me twice while in was in high school. I had a nice car my mother had brought for me and twice in the same day I was pulled over and my car searched and the passengers with me questioned. The second time I refused and I had to wait until they bought a drug dog to sniff around my car. And I still wasn’t given a speeding ticket, for which I was supposed to be stopped for. I know that somtimes when I get stopped I deserve it, and when I get a ticket I know I earned it. I just want it to be that way, you stop me, give me a ticket or whatever is appropriate, but don’t pull me out of the car, tear up my trunk and glove compartment, and have me sitting on the side of the road for all to see like some criminal.

It doesn’t help that a large majority of Black professional athletes and entertainers prefer to date and marry women other than Beautiful, Chocolate Brown Skinned women. Even though, in most cases, these men have mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters that were hard working, loving and dedicated to them and also Beautiful Chocolate Brown Skinned women.

Good read. Jeff of Peoria said it right. American society is made up of bigots. First post from Faye Rose gives credence to the saying “Crabs in The Pot”. Anyone in this country can reach their goal and excel if they have education, drive and focus. Faye Rose, stop being a crab in the pot. Keep up the Great work Don,

To: Kat

What you went through in majority non-white schools was as bad, and worse, than what blacks in majority white schools ever experienced. Beaten up, groped, sexually threatened … and then told that complaining was “racist.” Not to mention that a quality education is impossible to get in such an environment.

Why didn’t your family move? Was it because they couldn’t afford to?

Do you still consider yourself “privileged” for being white?

You wrote:

“I think twice before I go into any store or neighborhood that is mostly black.”

It’s called learning from experience. I wish you the best.

Don, what a touching article! I have always admired the openness and compassion that you bring to CNN with your interview style and sincere points-of-view, but this article explains a lot about your values and maturity. You are amazing. Thank you so much!

This has always been a crazy thing to many of us. What the heck the color of a persons skin. Just so stupid. And of course lets stop going back 400 years and rerunning all the slavery stuff. Whites had slaves and black had slaves. Stop it all and lets move on to the humanbeing factor. Its so old now and been driven into the ground so often we are numb to it. Bringing it all up just makes it worse. The majority of the people want peace, to prosper, to marry and raise a family and to help each other. Utopia for sure but stop all this nastyness.

Dang it all Don…you made me cry.

I feel you my brother. I was born and raised in New England. I really felt the effects of racism when I got to high school. The white calculus teacher would steer the black students into trade school careers when we seemed have trouble navigating advanced placement calculus. She would tell us we were incapable of analytical thought (I became a software engineer), but would not say that to the white students that were flunking. I have experienced the inferior treatment in retail stores, even to this day. I know all too well about that whole dark skin/light skin issue we have; it is a shame we cannot unite as a people.

To James Johnson - no article/documentary is needed for White in America. It is culture that is “legitimate” in mainstream eyes. No one needs to see this documentary because it is glaringly obvious what it means to be White in America: it means that you are part of a cultural default that never has to explain itself. It means that most likely when you go to buy a car, or a house, or apply for a loan, or get a job…you will be greeted with a face that looks like yours, and a mind that is shaped by experiences that are similar to yours from a racial perspective. It means you are not an IMMEDIATE suspect. Why no documentary for all that? Because it is the way it SHOULD be for ALL Americans, and it is not. Minorities of all races (and women) have a different reality to tell you about. And you are not listening objectively. This is the source of the Black community’s assertion that the White mainstream is naive. Black America is NOT the same as White, Yellow, or Brown. White, Yellow, and Brown people are the descendants of (mostly self-selected) immigrants. It’s much easier to succeed when the system has always made legal allowances to facilitate your assimilation. If you want to compare Blacks to another cultural group, try Native American.

I have enjoyed the series greatly. That doesn’t mean that I have agreed with everything that has been stated.
I attended an inner city high high school and have taught in one for the past 15 years. I have seen and known many students with problems in education and with social skills both black and white.
I have seen the struggle that African American children have in both reading and math skills. There are many reasons for it, to many to be mentioned here.
I have come to see African American children as polite and charming. Often times more so then their white counter parts.
The difference between them many time is how African American students handle themselves when things are not going their way. African American students have more of a tendancy to act out and express the anger the only way they know how, which is often fill with violance and vulgar language. i know that this is purly cultural but I still believe that parents should do a better job of socially preparing childern for the social world.

I know Jesus mourns over the pain that His children regularly inflict on each other. Like the Rev. King dreamed so do I dream - one day we will all (black, white, brown, tan, beige, etc, etc) we judge each other by our character, not our skin color.

I hate to admit that buried deep within me is the sin of prejudice, but I take it to the cross daily and crucify that sin.

Christian brothers and sisters, let us continue to pray that God’s children of every color one day treat each other with true Christ-like love.

I can truthfully say I was raised with no prejudice, was taught in twelve years of catholic education that prejudice is sinful, and raised four children that are adamantly against prejudice. They knew it was totally unacceptable.
When I was in my 50’s and shopping in a medium priced department store in a retail mall, I asked someone at the cosmetics counter for help. She said she was not able to help me, but the cosmetic rep for that product would be right back. I thanked her and told her I would come back later, which I did.

When I returned she still had not gotten back, so I asked someone else the same question. She asked me if the person I originally spoke with was black or white. I thought for a moment and told her “I don’t know”, and I honestly did not see what color she was. I saw her as a person selling cosmetics of whom I asked a question and she answered.

Until we can ALL interact with everyone regardless of color, or any other difference that could potentially separate us, we will not have overcome prejudice. We are all related and all live on this one small planet. Please, as Rodney King said so many years ago, “Can’t we all just get along?”

James Johnson you really need to take time out and speak with a black person and listen. See these little tidbits of being black in america is great but it gives people like you a chance to say that “it is all in our mind” until you walk in the shoes of a black man/woman you can not make such a blatant statement. The immigrants that come over here from china, mexico what ever comes with a perconceive ideal that they are better than or more intelligent then blacks …. we built this country “free labor” and made so many contributions that none blacks will try to down play. Yes being black in America is trying but God gives us no burderns we can not bear…. reality bites they say …. and keeping it prejudice is all around blacks as we have been socilized from coming from Africa to America that we are less then…. and the sad thing is the world has been socialized the same way…. not crying or complaining it is what it is … but one thing it is not is “all in our heads” and NEVER do we want anyone to feel sorry for us…. jails, aids etc…. will not keep this race down.

Thank you.

Lets get this out of the way righ now. I am 37 and white. Do I dicriminate? Nope. But I do feel discriminated against when I turn the t.v. on and listen to white jokes told on BET by black comedians.

I do however know that all this America hates the black man crap has got to stop. Its dumb and ridiculous. Blacks have more of an edge then they want you to think. We all have the same oppurtunities here in America. Some take advantage of them and some stand around and keep dredging up the old slavery and racisit(sp) jabber.

Racisim will never go away until we shut up about slavery. Yes it happened but it didnt happen to you so be quiet! You cant blame me for slavery any more than I can be blamed for my German heritage for killing millions of Jews. To blame todays white man for slavery is the same as me blaming everyone in Japan for Pearl Harbor. That would get laughed at eh?

So if the black race keeps bringing up real or imagened discrimination and they keep telling their kids that white people dont like them (and some blacks according to the article.) then we will be talking about this stuff for decades. Hey there are plenty of diverse races here in America that deserve attention also. But for CNN to print an article like this just helps distance the races yet again.

Here is an idea. Lets retrace every black persons line until we get a home country. We can send them on an two year stay at taxpayers expense and when they get back we will hear about just how bad they really have it here.

Also, to tag on from my previous comment. I do not consider your skin color to be that of a light-skinned person. I know this article is written from your own perspective and experience, but it should have come from someone like who resembles Soledad O’Brian. Then it would have been more authentic. According to my husband’s experience who truly should have experienced what you wrote, it was a moot issue. You only let certain things get to your head, and the issue of being light-skinned was not one of them.

This piece brought back so many memories. I did not grow up in the south but I did experience that split world. I remember the term “high yella” being thrown at me by some of our people. I did’nt understand it then & only partially now. I glad ths was expressed & I am passing it on to my daughters & grandsons. We, as a people have got to open up the closet & throw out the trash. It means we have to be able to take an honest look at the baggage we have been caring that we picked up in our dispair & pain. Until we free ourselves from it WE WILL NEVER BE TRULY FREE! We have to talk to each other and then act responsibly & with love!

I appreciate Don Lennon for expressing his frustration of being a light skinned African American. Yes, the African American community does discriminate against lighter skinned Blacks. However, this is a result of the environment that has surrounded them for years. I am from Louisiana and only in Louisiana am I viewed a brown skinn with yellow undertones. Whatever! I am a proud African American that does not care what shade she is. Although, I have seen discrimination towards darker skinned African Americans. I felt the same discrimination while I was in grade school (5th grade). My best friend bi-racial because her paternal grand mother was White. She was accepted among teachers of both races, Black and White. The black teachers would compare us and tell her that I was jealous of her. I tried to seperate myself from her to prove to her that I am not jealous of her. She was hurt that I did that. We graduated form the same high school and today exchange family photos. The lessons I have learned you have to rely on Jesus as the authoritative figure in life and let him make the decisions for you. Brandon, Don and others hold your heads up high. Be proud of the skin you are in and push forward. We as African Americans have to stick together. Obama 2008!

This story was well written and non-offensive. Reading Mr. Lemon’s story reminded me of an incident in Jacksonville Florida in 1981. I was a truck driver delivering to a Winn Dixie warehouse for the first time and asked the dock worker if I could use the restroom and where it was located. I located the restrooms in the warehouse and noted two (2) male facilities located side by side. Being 23 years of age and not exposed to bias (I’m white) , I commented upon my return to the dock worker someone had changed one of the restroom labels (male and female). The dock worker laughed and informed me the warehouse was very old…

When you ask someone how they view the world that is a window to their soul. If you see racism then you are racist. If you see the world as one race against others then you are part of the problem. It is