As open minded as I like to think I am, in point of fact I have no idea what it is to be a person of color. Well, there was one time when I was in a training class outside of Atlanta years ago. A black classmate and I went to a pub for a beer and a bite to eat. While we were waiting for our food, John said, "Look around. I am the only black person in this place. How do you think that makes me feel?" I thought for a moment, looking around, and replied, "I am the only white guy sitting with a black person. How do you think that makes ME feel?" We have been friends ever since.

Yesterday, I attended a program in New Haven, CT in which the mostly white New Haven Chorale joined with the all black Heritage Choir for a performance of readings and spirituals in celebration of Black History Month. The readings were powerful - MLK, a letter written by a slave about the 4th of July, letters on Amistad, etc. As I looked around, I could not help but think that some thought of the program as so much pot-stirring. It wasn't. It also wasn't, to use John Hardly's word, whinning, although I do agree that there is far too much whinning across any line you care to draw....color, veteran status, folk musician, etc.

dw