One Man’s Experience Strikes Familiar Chord

I would like to comment on the excellent story “To Be Young, Black and Endangered” written by Bruce Bean (Jan. 29). I am so glad that someone finally decided to address this matter. I am a black male too and completely understand Bean’s concerns. Like a reflection of the 1930s, racism has risen its grotesque head again.

No, Mr. Bean you are not thin-skinned or paranoid. I invite any critic to spend one day with me, witness the impossibility of cashing a personal check, using a credit card or flagging down a taxi. Imagine this happening to you every single day. Eventually it begins to affect one psychologically.

It is not exclusively the black male being punished, but everyone. For example, last month at a Nissan car dealership, with check in hand, I had every intention of buying a new car. I stood patiently in the showroom for 20 minutes while idle salesmen stood by. Finally I expressed my interest in a particular car. A reluctant salesman handed me a brochure and disappeared.

The majority of black males are honest, hard-working citizens. We hate crime as much, and probably more, than the average person, since we are more often the victims of violent crimes.

T.J. WILLIAMS, Hollywood