Nena Clark
Rochester, MN
I am an old, white woman. I work in the govt center and I see all kinds of folks there who probably aren’t having their best day. I try to be pleasant to everyone, but I make a point of being friendly toward young black men. I know that in my not-very-diverse community, they have to feel judged, feared and scrutinized by a lot of people who look just like me. They are invariably friendly and pleasant in return. Bless their hearts – I think I’d be more skeptical of me if I were them, but they’re willing to take me at face value.