I live outside Sacramento in the Elk Grove area, and racial profiling is also prevalent here, unfortunately, among the police and private citizens. I moved my son here so he can receive a quality education, but now I fear for his safety when he is not in my presence. It is truly sad that people in this area appear to have little regard for cultural diversity and treat all young African American males as criminals. These attitudes are frustrating and intolerable. I hope this new committee can and does make a difference.

I hope you and your husband did let the drive-thru worker's supervisor/manager know that he is doing a good job. No matter if his "friendly" and "professional" behavior was expected or not, it was noticed and should be acknowledged. Just my $.02.

The term "queer" is becoming more widely used in the LGBT community, especially among academics. I suppose I should better articulate my point by saying it is the way the terms "gays," "blacks," and "jews" are stated and used. I would never refer to a group of people as "whites." It simply sounds derogatory. If referring to a group of people, I prefer, at the very least, to say "white people" or "black people." See the difference? It's not the term, but the way in which it is used.

I am a bit offended by the term "gays" in reference to the LGBT community. It's quite similar to the use of the terms "blacks" or "jews." Language does matter.

Key phrase, Trapper, "substantive rights." And I also believe you are incorrect in stating that same-sex couples have the right to "marry," but not deem those unions as marriage. It's all semantics. The bottom line: same-sex couples who desire to "marry" want to be treated just as married heterosexual couples.

Thank you!

I do believe that it was more than "a small handful of people [displaying] poor judgment." The entire pond area was trashed! Please, take a look for yourself!

I agree with you 100%, and will contact you through the email address provided.

Thank you for reading and responding.

Thank you for your positive and encouraging comments!

...and thank you for reading!

Thanks for the info. I was wondering what happened to the old coffeehouse.

Beyond inspiring!

Thank you for sharing Bella's humbling beginnings and beautiful growth!

I appreciate your opinion and honesty when it come to raising your own son. I have a teenager myself, so I understand you 100%. However, I don't think the "sociological phenomenon" comes at the teenage level; I believe it starts in elementary school. I also believe that there are a myriad of reason why the children today are so different than we were as children. I wouldn't place the responsibility merely on the parents and educational system. I blame society as a whole. The change in respect and responsibility that you mention is a universal phenomenon. Our society is simply lost. (Love your writing, btw!)

Thank you for giving Raymond a voice.

Inspiring!

I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for sharing.

Quite sad!

Indeed!