Discrimination is nothing new: It just takes on different forms. In my short (70 year) life there have been many modifications in Society’s thinking and yet the ugly specter of discrimination inevitably comes out and announces “It’s show time!” (Think “Beetlejuice”.) Racial tension and separation have been met head-on for too long, though we’ve seen improvements over the decades. But a friend reminded me our solutions, such as quotas, often shifted the problem to the other end of the spectrum.
There was controversy over the nomination of JFK for President because of his religion. Catholicism was looked upon with distrust by some. And finding a synagogue or mosque in small-town America? About as easy as finding anyone in those towns to admit they were Jewish or Muslim. As for atheists, agnostics, and other closet-dwellers…huh? Yes, there were and are closet inhabitants who fear for both their professional and personal survival, choosing instead to hide their beliefs and leanings in the shadows of their lives.
Rosie Napravnik, who rode Mylute to 5th Place in the Ky Derby and 3rd Place in the Preakness, had the moral support of a lot of us females who grew up in the “housewives, mothers, teachers, secretary” portion of our history. Progress takes so long, and patience is tough to maintain. Still, I’m convinced when we chip away at a problem, there is likely to be less turmoil and division, than when using heavy-handed tactics. It would please me no end if humanity made huge strides in all areas before time for me to relinquish my place on this cherished hunk of space debris rotating, and revolving around our sun.
With hope in my heart, I am
Catherine Katrovitz
Indian River Guardian 
Very thoughtful article by Catherine Katrovitz on discrimination. There will come a time in America when we follow the advice of Martin Luther King jr. and judge people by the content of their character not by the color of their skin or religious beliefs, but we aren’t there yet.
Catherine Katrovitz is correct. Discrimination is a poison that eats the soul of both the giver and receiver of the unjustified bias.
Sadly, we as individuals and as a nation have not learned from history and we are repeating the same patterns over and over again. I taught my son to have respect for people of all relgiions. However, I never once mentioned the word Islam in my home. Yet anti-Islam sentiment is eating the American soul today. I wonder if I am a part of the problem or can I still be a part of the solution.
Next year I will be pass the threshold into what Gail Sheedy stated in her book, :”New Passages” is to be the “sage seventiies.” Yet I do not feel that I am ready because I myself still have so much to learn. How can I teach my grandchildren to stand up for what is right when I myself often question what is right?
Another part of the frustration in approaching the “sage seventies” is that I feel there is a need to still fight some of the same battles that I thought were won a long time ago. This is particularly true in regard to women’s reproductive rights.
I will heed Catherine’s advice and keep chipping away at problems.