“She’d backed out and left when she saw the dusky sloe-eyed faces behind the counters. Asians!” That was the reaction Doris made the first time she saw Asians different from her own people. She was reserved and suspicious perhaps because of the way they looked different or the tongue they spoke differently. But as these “foreigners” continued to move into her community, Doris became accustomed to it. At the same time she realized that “they were very polite, friendly.”

We tend to be more defensive toward the people who are different from us, sometimes even harbor disdain and hostility toward them. This is why racial (or other) discrimination arises. Do you think racial discrimination could one day be eliminated? If yes, how? If no, why not? (p. 125 )