In and Out of Step With the Marchers

* I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Terry’s First Person perspective of the “Million Man March” (Oct. 17).

As a middle-class white man, I have never had to experience the racism that so strongly exists in today’s society. I’ve never had to experience being pulled over by a peace officer because of my color. I’ve never had to experience salespeople following me around a store, waiting to catch me stealing something, because of my color. And I’ve never had to fly 3,500 miles to a march just to feel a sense of solidarity with people of my own race.

While I strongly oppose some of the beliefs of the Nation of Islam leader [Minister Louis Farrakhan], I do believe the march was a step in the right direction. While “white America” will never be able to know the feeling of hate that comes with racism, I hope that the march will at least help to open communication that will help us to understand it and realize how much the black community has to offer.

MATT DECELL

Long Beach

* I enjoyed Mike Terry’s story concerning the march. Like him, I may disagree with the messenger but I certainly applaud the message. However, the message unfortunately may be too little, too late.

Back in the ‘60s, I belonged to the Orange County chapter of the NAACP for about five years, giving both time and money to a cause I felt was justified. Later on, I worked for several hundred hours as an unpaid volunteer in the emergency room at a hospital in South-Central Los Angeles. I provided income tax assistance to low-income people and taught English to new arrivals in the United States. I do not believe anyone can accuse me of being a racist.

This work was rewarding fun, but I also believed people of color were not getting an even shake. The balance, however, has changed. When some white police beat Rodney King, there was an outcry to nail those cops. Based on what I knew of the case, I agreed, as the police seemed to be out of control. When the evidence (motive, window of opportunity and DNA blood links to both victims) indicated Mr. Simpson murdered two white people, there was an outcry to free him as he was the victim of a racist system. Where is the equal here? Where is the even field for all people? To me, all elements were there. The work I did earlier was a complete waste.

Unfortunately, I have reached the point where I am no longer willing to provide support of any kind to people of color. If they make it, fine. If they don’t, fine. I really no longer care.

FRED ROBERTS

Anaheim

* Mike Terry is not just a sportswriter for the Orange County Edition. Terry is an eloquent spokesman. He has distilled and clarified for us the real importance of the [march]. Terry’s message is the message in which all of the TV and print coverage should be invested--not the almost incidental participation of Farrakhan, nor the numbers.

Farrakhan’s rhetoric is transparent to all decent people; Terry’s writing is dense with a strong and human sensibility that all decent people will identify with.

DAVID ANDERSON

Winnetka