To the editor:

This is a powerful question that requires some thought and then some action. There currently seems to be a great divide between some members of the white population and members of the population of color. I have always believed that whatever advantages or levels of any success I may have enjoyed should be shared with the people who feel oppressed or victimized, for whatever reason, to help them achieve a similar level of success and positive feelings.

So the question for white folks then is “What can I do differently to help those feeling oppressed or victimized achieve success and to feel successful and positive?” Not “What can I do to differently to feel oppressed and victimized myself?” In other words, bring people along and do not leave them behind.

In this upside down, parallel universe we seem to sometimes live in, I would suggest that people of color or others feeling oppressed also ask themselves “What can I do differently to achieve at least the success and/or privilege level of most white folks and not feel a victim or oppressed myself anymore?” Not “What can I do differently to bring down the more successful to make them also feel like victims and to also feel oppressed?”

It seems to me if we both work on this “What can do differently … ?” we might actually find some common ground and solve some of the current issues that divide us. Maybe both factions should update their culture to achieve some degree of harmony.

John McQuitty,

Lawrence