'I Can Only Attribute This to the Color of Her Skin'
Ms.
Charlotte
Mandel,
Brooklyn,
New York
I am a 75-year-old Jewish woman who has been residing in Brooklyn all of my life. My co-op is predominately Jewish now, consisting of senior citizens who desire to live with Jewish people. The private homes in the neighborhood are occupied by Italian families. Both groups have little or no contact, are not comfortable socializing, and keep to themselves. When my sons attended elementary school with some Italian children, they were bullied and experienced a great deal of anti-Semitism.
In 1950 at age 21, I visited my friend Ruth and her family; they had relocated to Lynchburg, Virginia. I enjoyed a quiet, good time, and one evening we decided to see a movie at a local theater. I was surprised and dismayed to discover that one section of the theater was designated for blacks.
We have a long way to go before full equality is achieved. I travel to Cincinnati to visit my son and his family frequently. I am short and have difficulty with the overhead bins in airplanes. I am always assisted with my belongings by gracious passengers who are eager to assist. On my last flight, I befriended a black woman sitting alongside me who was also short. When she attempted to retrieve her possessions, there was no one around who offered to assist her. I can only attribute this to the color of her skin.
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