Farai,

I don't believe the question was quoted correctly, and more importantly the original question was not answered. He asked why 'you' don't focus more strongly on integration and the positive things that could benefit, rather than chronically focus on negative aspects.

Sent by Scott` | 9:20 PM ET | 09-27-2007

Yes I travel in different worlds. I have done so literally and figuratively for most of my life whether as a kid with moving to other countries due to my Dad's job or as an adult navigating various social worlds.

Some years ago I worked in a notable investment company where I was one of three blacks at first in a branch office; then the last one standing. One day I picked up the line for one of my colleagues who was tied up. As I introduced myself on the phone, the lady and a client on the other line appeared very friendly. Then she said my name was very unique and asked if it was Asian. I replied no and that my parents were Africans. There was a brief silence at first, then she asked me if I was black. I answered that will apply in this case (hint: there are white Africans). All of a sudden, her friendly tone changed and you could imagine the rest. Her myopic view of America or the finance world showed her only Caucasians or Asians could be in such positions.

Since then I still go through various social circles but mostly for professional reasons. How I live is a different matter; I crave a more integrated society. Recently, my Aunt came back from a vacation at a location with lots of mountains. As she told me about her trip, she asked me if I'll ever live in such a place. My answer was "nope, too vanilla!"

Sent by Moji | 10:44 AM ET | 09-28-2007

I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in NYC during the 60s and 70s. I could count the number of other black kids in my school on my two hands - but I didn't need to use all my fingers. For more than 15 years I lived integration. I integrated pretty much every gathering of people I attended. I was used to being the only Black person in the room, I never questioned it. Though I was always assured by my friends that they didn't really think of me as Black - I was just me. Hmmm, and being me didn't mean being Black?

During those years of my life I never really experienced code shifting because the only Black people I encountered were either family - or the very few kids who, like me, were too busy integrating with white kids to be bothered much with other Black kids.

By junior high school, and again in high school and college, I met with a lot of negativity from other Black people who didn't grow up in "integrated" environments who wanted to know why I always chose to hang out with white students instead of with Black ones. I never understood why I was expected to reject my friends to go hang out with people I didn't know just because they had a similar ethnic background. So I guess back then I would have asked that question about why some Black folks don't want to integrate.

Now, having been through a few experiences, and with children of my own, I have some other attitudes about integration. For one, how come integration always seems to be about 1 or 2 Black people going into a larger group of white people? If integration was about white people assimilating with Black folks, I think integration would be a little more interesting.

Also, through my years of being integrated, I always had the idea that there were things that were wrong with me. Maybe I didn't quite fit in because I was too tall, or too fat, or because my hair was too curly. I spent many years starving myself, straightening my hair and wearing flats, trying to change myself into someone who fit in better. Only to discover, far into my adult years, that the real reason I didn't quite fit was because of something I couldn't change - being Black. I've watched other people go through this as well - particularly girls who, at a young age, are placed in situations where they are one of few Black people. They all tended to have body image issues - as though changing the things they could about their bodies could make them be more like, or fit in better with the majority.

With my own children I seek out diverse environments, which are admittedly difficult to find. I don't like having them be on the "front lines" of integration, but I also am not completely happy when we are in an all, or predominantly Black environment. Though I believe that the latter is preferable to the former for helping them establish a strong sense of self, and for fostering healthy self-esteem.

As for what I've gained from switching back and forth between the worlds - well, I have a certain level of comfort in any situation that I've noticed others don't always have. But the flip-side of that answers the question of what price I pay - I don't ever get a complete sense of belonging anywhere.

Sent by Julie | 1:06 PM ET | 09-28-2007

I am a public school, high school teacher. I observe each day the voluntary separation along racial lines of our student body. They sit at different tables while at lunch - all four lunches. They "hang out" separately in the hallways between classes. They sit with one another, when not assigned specific seats, in the classroom. And, they hang out in racial groups at sporting events as well as at the mall. A few individuals cross the lines, and they are accepted due to mutual interests and characteristics and a growing democracy among our youth - they fit in - but not significantly in any numbers. I am at a loss to explain the phenomena. I think it is partly due to the effort of black citizens to define and preserve a separate and distinct black culture, to not be "white" as Sen. Obama has been accused. To define what it is to be lack. Part of the separation is perpetuated by the "gangsta" and "rap" and athletic superstar images from the media which attract teens to a distinct and separate culture in which, sadly and logically, not many will ever achieve that same fame or success. Partly, it has to do with comfort in being in one's own "group." Sadly, though, MLK's dream of his "four little children" holding hands with and attending school with little white children is not yet truly realized. As regards the "Jena 6," it is another instance of reflexively taking sides according to race. Whether under a tree or by the auditorium, we are still racially separate, if not more equal. When will we all be Americans? When will issues not resonate just in the Black communtiy or Hispanic community or white community, but in the community of America? As long as Black Media and the CBC and Al Sharpton and others reference and speak for and to a separate community we will not be a community of Americans - with no further deliniation to separate and to perpetuate that separation. Jena LA is a result of intentional, chronic, purposeful separation of the races, by the races - a separation of choice. Separation is not in itself dangerous or noteworthy. Protestant faiths are separated by varying emphases and beliefs - but they're all Protestant and they are not enemies. They are still Americans, as are Catholic, Jewish, Islamic and atheist Americans. We are not enemies if we have the right to chose with whom we associate but chose to associate along interest, background, future plans, and, yes, racial lines. The Black media as well as News and Notes contribute to this lingering separation by chronic analysis of every occurence as to how it "resonates" in the black community. No event in America should be analyzed as to how it affects any separate group -else separation will continue. Quit your maintenance of the polarizing references to distinct communities and, then, we may reach common ground with no separate focus.

Sent by Charles Blakewood | 1:54 PM ET | 09-28-2007

"I travel in different circles, some of them mostly or all black; some of them mostly or all non-black."

Sounds like a fine bit of contemporary ironic signifying if you ask me.

Sent by mike | 1:16 PM ET | 10-02-2007