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By Helen Larsh Special to CNN Adjust font size:
    Editor's Note: Helen Larsh, a former mayor of Silsbee, Texas, is a math teacher at Silsbee High School. She was a member of the audience at the December 19 CNN Town Hall "Out in Open: Racism in America." Silsbee, TEXAS (CNN) -- I was a member of the audience at a recent CNN forum on racism held in Beaumont, Texas. ("Out in the Open: Racism in America," December 19). I believe that the show's focus on racism in southeast Texas was much too narrow. It really wasn't entirely clear to me whether the show had its own agenda, or if it just missed the nuances of how racism and prejudice exist in this part of the country. I have lived in Silsbee, Texas, a town about 20 minutes outside of Beaumont, for 35 years. I grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, and am a graduate of Duke University. I was on the Silsbee City Council for 18 years and was mayor for two of those years. I am also a math teacher in the Silsbee school district. From my experience as a member of this community, as a mother of two children who grew up here and as a teacher to hundreds of high school students who were raised in this environment, I believe that there are many variables in the way prejudice is revealed here. Indeed, it is multifaceted and not necessarily due to skin color. Surely, there are those who will look down on another because of the color of his or her skin. In that sense, yes, a portion of the racism here -- and in any of America's regions, states, cities or hamlets -- is, as the show noted, skin deep. But it is also more nuanced than that. The prejudice that we confront is often a factor of education, economics and social condition. People who have limited education generally do not have the broadening experiences that will allow them to see beyond skin color. This creates a social condition where people are more comfortable among their own race, class and level of education. People who are struggling financially often feel threatened by those who they feel are competing for the same jobs. These are some of the factors can lead to a bias that an outsider perceives as racism. The insider sees prejudice as an expression of hopelessness and a resistance to change. Anyone who comes into such a provincial environment from the outside, no matter their skin color, is looked at with a jaundiced eye because they are different. The fact that this can lead to prejudice does not excuse it but might to some degree explain it. Silsbee is a multiethnic community and we all strive very hard to get along. Sometimes we do. Sometimes we don't. Is that any different than Memphis, Tennessee? Or Los Angeles, California? Or Omaha, Nebraska? Or New Bedford, Massachusetts? I actually believe that my children saw more overt racism when they moved away from home to places including Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida. During the CNN broadcast, members of the audience were told to raise our hand during the commercials if we wanted to ask a question or make a comment. I had a few things that I thought would have contributed to the discussion but didn't get a chance to speak. I know that shows are pressed for time and have to pack a lot into an hour, but I left the show feeling that things had remained unsaid. That's why I wanted to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on CNN's Web site to help facilitate further discussion of the topic online. The focus on Vidor, Texas, was unnecessarily harsh. I realize through my years in this part of the country that Vidor has a history of racism. Yes, the Klan did march there. Yes, crosses were burned there. But I also think that the community as a whole is trying to move past its history. Several members of the audience were quick to point out their negative experiences in Vidor. Their struggles and experiences are horrible and terribly unfortunate, but their experiences cannot speak for everyone who has ever been to Vidor. Nor do they speak for southeast Texas in general. There are other communities in southeast Texas that remain almost completely segregated. Still, many of these communities are as complex and troubled, as conflicted and confused, as desirous to break out of the past and into the present as Vidor. Surely, we all must hope that they are successful in that journey. I am glad that Paula Zahn and CNN came here to try to put some light on the issue of racism and prejudice. I just hope that next time they will widen their focus and look more deeply at the causes -- as well as the symptoms -- of this problem. What is your take on this commentary? E-mail us The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer. This is part of an occasional series of commentaries on CNN.com that offers a broad range of perspectives, thoughts and points of view. Your responses CNN.com asked readers for their thoughts on this commentary. We received a lot of excellent responses. Below you will find a small selection of those e-mails, some of which have been edited for length and spelling. Bob Thomas, Franklin, North Carolina Ira Collier, San Angelo, Texas Vaughn Franklin, Hurst, Texas Sage McKinley, St. Louis, Missouri Rick Williams, Byron, Georgia |
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Helen Larsh says the focus of CNN's racism special was too narrow.
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