Reader comments
Struggles of black Utahns chronicled in documentary

History is worth remembering, as it teaches us how we can all do better. I'm disappointed that black Utahns faced so many struggles. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can and must do better at reaching out and nurturing others.

As one who grew up in the south, I am almost certain that racism here, although just as real and just as painful, was not nearly as overt or intentional as it was in other parts of this great country back in the 40's, 50's and early 60's.

Thanks for sharing these poignant stories of Mr Jackson, the Reverend France Davis, and others as a powerful reminder that we are all children of a loving God who loves us all equally.

-Steve C

Not much of a story. Not much to sink your teeth into. Would love to read more.
I'm in my 30's and there was one black person in my high school, and I can't imagine its all that different now, some 15 years later.
I am close friends with a black family and they experience staring (from unexposed white bubble Utahn's)but love it here and feel at home. Though we have come a long way by the sound of this story. Something that is hard to explain from our parents and their parents.

I saw this very important documentary yesterday, stories of seven wonderful Utahn's, representing their experiences and those of so many more. It presents not only their personal historical perspectives, but messages of wisdom for the future we can all learn from. Readers who want more information about these stories can arrange for viewings by contacting the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society at aahgsutah@gmail.com or call its' president Phyliss Caruth at(801) 414-0501. As a disclosure, I am a member of the Board of the Utah Humanities Council (UHC), which was a primary source of funding for this project, and am very pleased the AAHGS of Utah applied to UHC for support.

There has been a history in Utah of prejudice. My father was born in 1897 and told me that while he was growing up in SLC any one with an accent from Europe was a victum of prejudice. He said his father was prejudiced against Danish people. Two of his three children married Danes. My father was also very prejudiced against blacks. The reason. My grandfather didn't know any Danes and my father didn't know any blacks.
There are a significant percentage of whites who still have prejudice against blacks and a very large percentage of blacks who are prejudice against whites. I am not sure how presenting a documentery on the poor treatment of blacks by whites to a predominantly black audiance moves things forward. It is sad to say that there are still too many people that make a living prolonging the animosity between the races (Jesse Jackson, etc.). Most are sincere but misguided.

The future is in finding ways to know each other rather than documentories that make people feel angry about how they are treated or have been treated.

Outright racism may no longer be tolerated or visible in our daily lives, but racism through indifference and avoidance (usually accompanied by a smile) is still prevalent. I pray we can genuinely accept people as they are and open our hearts to the possibilities of understanding each other.