The Disturbing Strength of Racism

I found Dana Parsons’ Feb. 22 column about the racial incident that took place in the Penney’s Shoe Department at Westminster Mall disturbing. Not as a reminder that racism exists; of course it does. But as a pointed example of why it survives.

What I find discouraging is how all of those involved simply acquiesced. No one felt compelled to challenge the bigotry of the individual who refused the services of Glendon Hewston because he didn’t want a black man to touch his socks. Where was their sense of moral outrage?

While their fear to respond is understandable, if we ever expect to eradicate racism, more is required. If the right to free speech allows racial slurs, it also allows a response.

The column didn’t relate what happened after the statement was made. I was curious. Surely retail outlets like Penney’s should have store policies to protect the dignity of employees against such abuse.

However, when I contacted Penney’s I learned that they actually sold the pair of socks to this customer, ignoring and condoning his despicable remark.

Given the circumstances, the proper course of action would have been to refuse the individual’s business, and if necessary, call store security.

Unless we’re willing as individuals to confront bigotry in our daily lives, our communities will not be free from it. Until then, shoes and shirts may be required at the Westminster Mall, but common decency is not.

JOHN WALKER

Trabuco Canyon

* I commend Dana Parsons for giving testimony to the fact that racism continues to exist in many forms despite the sophistry of those who would try to convince us that it all ended in the 1960s.

The column illustrates, however, another delusion with which even many well-meaning persons, who are not African American, suffer. That is the delusion that “I know how you feel,” therefore I know how you should react.

African American salesman Glendon Hewston obviously was not surprised that racism is alive and well. From the comments of his co-workers it is obvious that Hewston probably received some indication daily that many people who are not African American find it necessary to show him that they consider him to be someone who is to be feared or ridiculed or who is a curiosity.

It Hewston were to react to each of those instances he would undoubtedly be labeled paranoid or having “a bad attitude” by his employer and those same sympathetic coworkers.

He probably would, eventually, be fired. Even if he reacted strongly to each of those instances, but kept it inside, he would slowly be driving himself to the brink of mental disorder. Some things you have to let go, relying instead on your faith in who you know you are.

Parsons has illustrated by his column a little-recognized fact. Because racism survives and thrives here, it takes a tremendous amount of strength, courage and character for African Americans just to obtain and maintain a position in life in this country.

SAM PETERS

Los Alamitos