Racism is a subject most of us would rather not discuss, yet here it is on the front page of newspapers across the country. While many debate the degree to which it exists, the fact remains this immoral issue is present and must be addressed.

Three unarmed black men killed by white police officers have grabbed the nation’s attention. When two grand juries failed to find fault with the actions of the police even more thought was focused on the “why” as people reintroduced the ugly word “racism” into the national dialog.

Let me offer one small example that I believe strongly suggests there is a “them and us” mentality in this country.

If white citizens were asked: “Who do you believe receives government food stamps (SNAP)?” I suggest most whites would say “Unmarried black women with lots of kids (of course).” No mention of whites, the elderly, veterans, Hispanics, Asians. Just African Americans. This from whites who have, more than likely, never shared a cup of coffee or a meal with a black person or family and listened to their stories. That would be outside their comfort zone.

I dislike using broad statistics to make a point yet, in this instance, I believe they are pertinent. The Department of Agriculture’s latest study of SNAP recipients shows that 36 percent were white, 22 percent African American and 10 percent Hispanic. And finally 47 percent were children under age 18 and 8 percent were elderly over 60. I believe these statistics indicate that many of our perceptions may be wrong.

I don’t wish to get into a numbers argument. I merely wish to point out that many whites have negative perceptions of the black community which must be admitted to and examined. And then there is the doing, which will take a lot of doing!