I grew up in Texas... many moons ago. My skin was dark. No one in my class ever said anything ....but the teachers some times did. I remember in 5th grade a teacher, Mrs. Harmond who was ancient at the time....had to be at least 60 years old... she really was a pill! She taught us "Indian Dancing" for the Spring Festival. She was a real ....well anyway she taught us "Indian Dancing". We had to get coat hangers and make a circle with them. So we could do the "Indian Dances". She told the entire class that I could do the dance the best because she knew that I was a "natural". WOW! You know how I felt! Well anyway folks and fellow "kin", let me say that after X years of this type of "un-politically" type of treatment....I have learned to roll with the "tide". My Cherokee grandmother always said that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never faze me". If we want to "join" society, we have to face the reality that "political correctness" is only a "crutch" not a where withall to hide behind! So somebody calls us a squaw or whatever. Our skin has to be thick! Look, we are "kin" let's say to heck with "whatever" pulls the strings of some....we have all experienced the wrath of some "dim wit" who does not deserve any recognition. If we hold all this inside, and "jump" at the least bit of "whatever", can anyone ever find their roots? Let us get on with trying to connect instead of letting our skin be too thin to connect with our kin. Sincerely, Carmen McDaniel Forbes