Bob, I came late to the reality of slavery with its long-lasting implications versus freedom with all its options. What brought it forcibly home to me is one day when I suddenly thought about what it would be like to have to tell your child that he or she "can't do that or go there" because of the color of his or her skin.

It was a devastating event to me; I was so ashamed to be part of the race that accepted it, perpetrated it.

When my own daughter was born, I made sure from practically day one that she had playmates of every color around and that I did too.