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Inside Opinion

If you have questions about how the Daily News makes editorial decisions, this blog has the answers. Editorial page editor Matt Zencey and writers Frank Gerjevic and Rosemary Shinohara will discuss what they're working on, answer questions and ask your perspective on issues facing Alaska.

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Matt Zencey

Matt Zencey joined the Daily News as an editorial writer in 1985 and was named editorial page editor in May 2007. He has won several. "Best editorial writing" awards from the Alaska Press Club and was a Nieman Fellow in Journalism at Harvard University. He lives on the west side of Anchorage, where he enjoys the best weather in town and easy access to the Coastal Trail. E-mail Matt at mzencey@adn.com

Frank Gerjevic

Frank Gerjevic has worked at the Daily News since 1978, where he's been sports editor, copy editor, reporter and columnist. He's been an editorial writer since 1998. He began his newspaper career with the Anchorage Times in 1975. E-mail Frank at fgerjevic@adn.com

Rosemary Shinohara

Rosemary Shinohara is an editorial writer who has lived most of her life in Alaska. She has spent most of her career as a reporter or editor at the Daily News. She covered construction of the Alaska oil pipeline, the Legislature, schools and urban affairs. She has also been an editor for NPR's All Things Considered, and has written for the Associated Press. E-mail Rosemary at rshinohara.com

Prejudice here - getting better or worse?

Posted by Matt Zencey, editorial page editor

Posted: April 30, 2008 - 4:37 pm

Here's another question to stimulate discussion about prejudice and discrimination in our city and state: Is it getting better or worse?

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2 May 8, 2008 - 11:07am | digitaldot

Why is okay

To blame white people for all of the worlds problems? Why can you stereotype and insult them, but not anyone else? Why is okay to call them crackers, honkies, or whitey. Why doesn't the ADN censor it just like they would if I typed N----- or W------ or K-----?? Oh yes, prejudice is getting MUCH worse.

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1 April 30, 2008 - 10:30pm | akgen

more visable now

Maybe that makes it worse. I think Alaska has always been prejudice to the MAX. I should also tell you that I'm Inupiat.

Then there is that mighty "People in Peril" articile. Didn't it win some award? To be described as 'in peril' was a bit hard to take, cause I was raised with the opposite in mind. Shortly after that publication, my coworkers felt my career accomplishments were a result of rising out of the peril of my people. Gosh, make me a victim and paise me for rising 'above the ashes'. ... Ug. I was even given flowers. Yellow roses. Three dozen. And when I opened the sympathy card, I wanted to use the envelop as a vomit bag. Do you ADN editors want to know how long I've waiting to tell this story about the flowers and card? At least I'm older now and not prone to using bad words to describe the peril that "People in Peril" feature articile gave me in my professional life.

Ever been approached by a UAA Anthropology student who wanted to feel your shovel back teeth? They were very sincere. No meaness intended. I saw it happen to my grandmother. The guy talked very slowly and carefully. My grandmother did not respond, she just closed her mouth and her eyes got really big. Then the Anthropology student looked at me and asked "Do you have the ability to speak your native language and tell her what I want to do?"

It was at that moment my grandma took her teeth out of her mouth and spewed a bunch of religious stuff (in Inupiat) then told me to tell the guy off.

What did I do? I told the guy that if he wanted to feel the teeth, he should do it while they are out of my grandma's mouth. I said that his request is kinda personal. I was 17 years old.

Anyway, the above examples speak more to some form of cluelessness and/or poor social skills.

I think the prejudice is more visible now. Before it seemed so 'under the table'. Electronic media plays a huge role in the visibilty.

Good for you all on trying to stimulate discussion. It might piss some people off though.

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April 30, 2008 - 11:17pm | TheSdog

AKG

What is it with you?

It would appear you want people to be judged on their merits and not from where they come which is completely reasonable.

You speak here from the same wisdom that led many of the minorities I knew in college to hate affirmative action. They always felt people were looking at them strange as if they were given something for free.

So why get so bent out of shape over a couple of meatheads on the radio?

Most of us have been tweeked over one thing or another over the years. Believe it or not, even us white guys can be the victims of racism.

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May 1, 2008 - 8:05am | akgen

vdog,

What is it with you?

Everyone can be a victim of racism. Duh, again, DUH.

You speak here from the same wisdom that led many of the majority I know to hate affirmative action. They seem to think they were giving something away for free. And they will never forget that 'free' gift while expecting the minority to prove over and over the best use of resources with that 'free' gift.

How about this: You should be embarassed over those meatheads on the radio. They derive and continue a stereotype that will make you have to prove over and over, how you are not like them.

One question vdog; Do you really think, I'm gonna really go there, with the likes of you, on affirmative action? Last I checked, you think I should be proving the likes of Fagan and Sommerville wrong.

Let me make a guess here: I should be proving you wrong? and it will be a sad reality of my ethnicity when I do not even attempt to do something meaningful?

Opps, another question; So, as a white guy, do you think racism, towards you in Alaska, has gotten worse or less?

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May 1, 2008 - 11:28am | TheSdog

AKG

As a white guy, I just do not care when racism is aimed at me. I can choose to ignore it and live my life.

There are times like with Rev. Wright when it is reasonable to point out the hate speech. However, it will not change my everyday life.

It should be noted that Obama actually does believe many of the hate filled theories of Wright. Wright has suggested as much and he is correct, Obama just knows it is political suicide to let his true views be known.

People want to hate me, so be it. It is a free country.

I am not Woody and Wilcox and do not have to defend or justify or make excuses for them. They will not change your life or my life.

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May 2, 2008 - 10:43am | akgen

so you won't be bothered,

if I freeze some paintballs and aim for all white guys that are Alaskan doctors?

You apparently care about racism, because you have some comments about it.

And I really don't care if people hate you either. Yes, it is a free country.

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May 2, 2008 - 7:21pm | TheSdog

Paintballs

are the sticks and stones and not some idiotic comment.