I erased the post to save space.  (about diseases) but I agree.  it is 
amazing what we tolerate.

when I was 15 I had a relationship with a biracial guy who was planning 
on studying psychiatry (white/Black) and he opened my eyes about a lot 
of things.  including effects of racism and stigma about mental 
illness.  OTOH, he did not have 'physical disability' consciousness.  
he learned a lot from watching me, and from the reactions I got when I 
was in a wheelchair, which he recommended for longer trips to save 
energy.

neglecting the health of some citizens is not wise, imo, and it might 
come back to haunt us if there is a "superbug" epidemic.  b/c if the 
poor, who are living in bad unsanitary conditions too often, start 
getting sick with something contagious, there is no barrier that will 
protect the middle class and the rich. I  worked in chemical screening 
at the environmental protection agency for 9 years.

there are definitely aspects of 'personal responsibility' here, but 
children growing up in these conditions have a very difficult time 
learning how to responsibly care for themselves and others and earn a 
living. I was shocked at what I saw in some neighborhoods.  kids who 
never felt safe and obviously never thought they would.  I am aware 
there is a lot of suffering and difficult conditions in more well-off 
neighborhoods as well, white or minority or mixed-race.  personally, I 
think a lot of people feel helpless and don't know what to do.

I also think blaming people is not particularly productive and there is 
no point to trying to make white - or well-off - people feel guilty.  
since my boyfriend was biracial, he actually "looked white" b/c his 
father had "light skin," he had strong feelings about trying to bring 
people together and not separate them by labeling one group as "bad."  
I agree with this.


Mary Katherine

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