AMEN!

A great piece and quite appropriate and timely. I don't believe most American's understand what it means to be non-white in America. The crazies will come out and write their blacks this and illegal immigrants that, special breaks and blah, blah. However, they fail to recognize that no amount of "affirmative action" nor any number of Condi' Rice's or Barak Obama's changes what it means to be non-white in America. The fellow golfer who drops the "N" word at the course but then says he's not a racist, just talkin. Even the guy next door who talks about the "black" President he says he's not a racist, just doesn't like his policies. Then why add black? I ask. "Because he is." Is the reply. The depth of his recognition of his race slips right by the guy. People think the sin of slavery was some wart of ancient history, but it has passed on in its way generation after generation in a number of ways including some of the legislation we see to this day. People say racism is over because it lay just beneath the surface, impolite to speak in civilized society. But it's there and I see it every day and I'm white.

There will always be idiots who say inappropriate things. This is not proof of racism, it is proof that as long as there are people of different hues, languages and cultures in our country, people will notice those differences. Sometimes, they will say something about it. It will be this way forever. The way to measure the progress of our nation is in the results accomplished by blacks-president, attorney general, and this guy being admitted to Harvard Divinity. The progress is real, but boorish behavior will always be there too.

"Richmmond12" You make the point for the writer. To you it is "boorish" behavior, but tell me. Do you see people yell at the "fat guy" you running away from a scale or what did you steal. Do you see people yelling at an ugly person, "running from a mirror" or what did you steal. I'm Turkish and once in awhile on line or even in a public setting, someone will say, "What about the Armenians?" But that is only if I tell them I'm Turkish. Blacks and Hispanics and others don't have to say a word and you get not "boorish" behavior, but racist behavior. It runs deep and only time and education will end it, but even then only if we admit it is still there.

It is precisely proof of racism. Not perhaps the racism of yesteryear, thank God, but certainly it is racism. I understand the need for denial. But you must accept the fact that it is not the same in America for all of us.

Inebriated people say and do inappripriate things to be funny. No one should of taken those comments laying down, but the truth can be funny. Instead of attacking the symptom, though, black people should be looking at why most people have these peceptions about them. Look at any major newspaper to find the answer, jails are disproptionally filled w/ black males, the war zones overseas seem relitivly safe compared to some of the inner city neighborhoods blacks live in. These are not white people's fault. The lack of taking education seriously and turning a blind eye to gang/drug culture that perpetuates the unprepared families that produce more cannon fodder for the prison system buisness and morticians.

"Kitchner" I am implying that a great deal of the rantings regarding illegal aliens is over "color", "brown" to be exact. American negativity towards illegal immigrants is partially fueled by racism and racism sometimes is the emotional fire that heats up the debate. Note I said "crazies" not everyone who has a problem is racist, but some are fired by racism and those are the "crazies".

Kitchner, how often do you hear people ranting about Irish kids who are working here illegally?

Ken, You are 100% correct. As a white male I am always hearing negatives against minorities that are usually unwarranted. I am tired of it and we should judge each person on the content of their character. It is always disheartening as stereotypes are hammered into us via radio, tv, movies and the evening news of black males being shot, killed and arrested at enormous rates. I suggest that the government immediately stop keeping any and all records/stats on racial, sexual or other differences between us. It would be a lot better if we just treated everyone equally based on who they are not on stereotypes.

Thank you, Kenny, for sharing your story. It is appalling. I am not black--I am what we refer to as white--but your story shocked and pained me. You were indeed brave to stop and engage with these... people. Thank God nothing worse than the verbal attack happened to you, but the verbal attack was vile and hurtful. I agree with you that racism is not a thing of the past in this country. The recent article by Jeff Jacoby demonstrates the complacent attitude some adopt without regard for the reality. Even with tragedies as recent as the one that ended Trayvor Martin's life, some people continue to deny the profound hatred and fear known as racism. I am sorry that you endured this attack, Kenny. All my wishes for success in your future endeavors and hopes that you will not again be subjected to this sort of aggression.

I'm sure you have equally biased explanations for prejudice against Hispanics, women, and gays. You might want to think about why justifying racism is so important to you.

I am not sure whom you think is pretending anything, or how your little debate with a few college drunks establishes that point, but how about a deal: if we agree to your obvious point, do you promise to stop turning every encounter with idiots in Harvard Square into a thought-provoking column on the subject of What We All Must Learn? And also turn your cap around?

We don't live in a post-racial society. We created the notion of race to exploit individuals with darker skin pigmentation for purely economic reasons. The offsprings of this socially-sanctioned notion will stay with us for at least a couple of centuries. Going back to the story, the individuals who made those racist comments don't realize that they are bigots. Actually they belong to the worst type: racists in denial. They were well trained by their families and their peers. I'm sure that among them there are a couple of folks that know better. However, they may not have the guts to take a stand. I don't blame them: Who wants to be labeled as loving people of darker skin?

You've totally missed the point of this article. Blame the innocent black guy. Nice. People like you will never get it. Ironically, your comment unwittingly proves the author's point.

As a white educator,I have been contemplating the notion of racial/ethnic stereotypes as fodder for satire. I often think this needs to be considered when people take offense. Was the speaker attempting to reveal the ridiculousness of such a statement by enunciating it? Can intelligent, liberal-minded people, including whites, voice such statements? I have concluded, through my own experiences, that the answer is yes, with one caveat: There has to be a contextual relationship present between the parties involved. It is the actions of people that reveal their true character, not some off-the-cuff, impulsive, or ill-timed attempt at humor or wit. My guess is if these had been colleagues of yours, who had proven through their actions to be upstanding, fair-minded human beings, you might have laughed at their obvious attempt at satire. You might have even slowed down to ask them if they were enjoying their mayonnaise sandwiches as they headed to the Tim McGraw concert. And you all would have laughed about at work the next day.

You really have to look no further than the Globe comment section to know racism is alive and well. Just pick an article about President Obama or any column by Jeff Jacoby and read the comments. Or you can start here and read the comments by IsDad and Steve1007.

Folks, as long as we are a multi racial society, there will be people who see differences, and rely on stereotypes to make judgements. Sad as that may be, it will never change. The boorish behavior displayed here is not all that different from some of the insults I receive as one who posts comments in the Globe. It may not be racial boorishness, but it is the same behavior. There will always be people like this. The greater good however, is the recognition that institutuionalized racism is now behind us. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, and as a country, we have elected a black president. Unfortunately for all polite people, there will always be rude people.

Your post should be answered with profanity. Since that's not appropriate in this forum, I'll simply offer some practical advice: Try your wise-guy approach in person some time. I'd love to see the outcome!

You just don't give up do you? You're the euphemism king today. No such thing as racism in your mind.