Why not talk about race at Starbucks?

Reading Otis Sanford’s March 29 column “Starbucks line isn’t time, place to talk human race” reminded me of my childhood.

On trips in the 1960s to Birmingham, Alabama, to visit relatives, I first noticed segregation. Skin color mattered and dictated where you lived, which toilet you used and what door you were allowed to enter.

Being a very inquisitive girl, I asked my mother why any human could not walk through the same door, at a restaurant located in Birmingham. I was surprised by her stinging look, and her sharp tone of voice, as she reprimanded me. What I remember she said: “This is not something we may discuss in public.”

When I saw the article, I thought, “Why isn’t it OK to speak in line at Starbucks, (or and where else) about race?”

I applauded Starbucks to bring to the forefront racial diversity. It is obvious by the most recent violence, as noted in the article, some humans in the U.S. feel skin color does matter.

As I read further, I realized that this column was not in support of the bold move of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. As stated in conclusion of the article, “But when it comes to discussing race, standing in line at Starbucks in the morning is neither the time nor the place.”

Why can’t we discuss racial differences in public? Is it not the teaching of God, that we are to get along?