I was so angry I left the country for 10 years. I was furious in fact. I wrote a story about the teacher who picked up a kid in a desk and threw him down the stairs (I thought he'd killed him).

I have no doubt that you had to deal with more prejudice and bigotry than I did. I think we have to reform teaching at its core. I think racists have deliberately undermined education because they know an ignorant population is easy to control. That's why teachers are underpaid and schools are constantly stripped of resources.

So, while I harbor resentment for what was done to me, I still feel education is our only hope for a better society. But I hope it doesn't sound like I am challenging you on your feelings or response to the abuses you endured. I'm trying to figure out a way to make progress towards a better society, but I could be wrong, and I appreciate thoughtful comments like yours.