Life Lessons on Racial Harmony

I was appalled by May Akabogu-Collins’ essay about her so-called path toward racial enlightenment (“Coming to Black America,” Metropolis, Feb. 1). She says that she is striving for greater racial tolerance and acceptance. But she is ignorant if she believes that this is achieved by replacing one form of racist beliefs (against African Americans) with another (against Korean Americans). Her racist experience in a Koreatown shop seems to be the basis for her irresponsible statement, “And, as I watched Koreatown go up in flames during the L.A. riots of 1992, I understood the motivation.” Encountering one racist person who is Korean American does not justify the horrific actions and consequences of the riots. Her reasoning and statement are frightening.

Caroline Lee

Sunset Beach

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My suggestion for Akabogu-Collins: Why not talk with non-black Americans to find out how many have been asked for an unrealistic cash deposit, or otherwise been singled out unfairly? For her to cite the insulting incident in the Koreatown video store as the turning point that made her feel the “rage and frustration of the black American” causes me to feel sorrow and pity for the black American she’s become.

Susann Buzoff

Los Angeles

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Akabogu-Collins’ deeply touching essay made me remember one of my own racist stupidities. A black co-worker loved to hum Broadway show tunes. One day I said to him: “I’m surprised you like that kind of music.” He said: “Why?” I answered: “I would have thought you’d like your own music better.” He looked at me like the idiot I was and said: “That is my music.” Poor guy. He thought of himself as an American first and a black man second. I had just added to the flood of messages that told him it was the other way around.

Bob Bordier

Sylmar