[Excaliber]

Tragically, Wayne, that is all to common within the African American community, missing Fathers. Of course it happens with any race but disproportionately with blacks. Even within the black community itself there are race divisions. Some saying this or that person isn't "black enough".

Some studies have shown that within that community those that are "less black" are actually met with some distrust, some prejudice by they're own community. Not fully accepted by those who are "more black". Some of that has to do with how well the individual accepts his own heritage. But it's an inherent problem within the community regardless of the individuals convictions.

I lost my job because of an African American in Washington D.C. Reverse discrimination without a doubt. It didn't make be bitter toward the race, but it sure was a wakeup call to the power of a racist attitude.

I experienced similiar racist attitudes when I first moved to Hawaii. Being a "haole" (foreigner) had it's downside. So I did what many haoles do here, moved to a predominately white community (often called, in fact, "little California"). I actually began to dislike that community as the years passed, it was simply "to white", to racist, in my opinion. For many years I've lived in a much more mixed part of the island and was surprised to find myself more comfortable in this environment. Race is simply not an issue in my everyday life. MUCH of that had to do with how I accepted MYSELF and less to do with the community at large.