We know that where you live on Long Island determines which public school you can attend.  And where you go to school determines whether you are offered a high, fair or poor quality education.  We also know that, to a large extent, Long Island's schools are racially segregated and unequal and that blacks and Latinos comprise 76% of the schools that the New York State Department of Education has designated as "high-need". We adults are failing our black and Latino students.

Housing discrimination and segregated unequal schools are not new problems.  In large part, we know what needs to be done to desegregate housing and education and make opportunities more equal.  Why is change so hard? 

Are people ignorant and fearful or are they intentionally discriminatory? 

I believe that some people of good will find it much easier to support civil rights laws when the focus is so obviously public. Even though we still have modern day instances of restaurants not serving African Americans (Denny's is a recent example), the public accommodations fight has been won in the hearts and minds of the American populous.

I don't think segregation in housing and education, on the other hand, has ever really been rejected in the North. 

In 2012 we will be exploring these issues more fully and I'd like to hear from you.

I want to thank so many of you for taking the time to read our newsletter, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you for your contributions of time and money.  Thank you for participating in the work that we do and for trying to advance racial equity wherever you can.

My grateful and warm wishes for a Happy Holiday and for the New Year.