I cannot recall any time in my childhood that I heard my parents make references to a person's race or religion. There were two Jewish children in our neighborhood "gang" and I don't think any of us were conscious of it at the time.

I became aware of the systematic exclusion of Jews from some social situations while in college. I was playing tennis with a friend late one afternoon, and we stopped playing at dusk and just stood around talking. I had been talked to by a few Fraternity members about joining their groups, so I casually asked my friend if he was considering joining.

"I can't join," he said, "I'm Jewish." I was thunderstruck. I was so naive that I didn't realize that fraternities on a "Christian School Campus" would have an official policy excluding Jews. But it was true. My decision was made. Although I was eligible, I would not join.

I am now a member of a different kind of Brotherhood. My Law Enforcement career makes me a brother to people of every race and religion. We developed a bond that included a willingness to risk our lives for each other.

My family members are Black, White, Yellow, Red, mixed race, male, female, gay, straight, lesbian, Jew, Gentile, etc. If you pin on that badge, take the oath, and pick up a gun to maintain our civilization, you are a member of my family.

I pity people who are obsessed by racial differences.

Carl in Tampa

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