I have since tried to remedy this ignorance, and have become a particular fan of Vikram Seth’s writings among others. But your International Herald Tribune column of this date reminds me of a jarring experience in Houston, Texas in 1960. It was a grey day, and I was waiting for my car to be brought down (parking garages still did that) and chatting with a blue-haired Texas lady of a certain age and, alas, mind-set. As a ‘damyankee’ newcomer, I had learned to avoid what I knew Texans didn’t want to hear, but I was struck by the appearance of a beautiful young woman whose brilliant turquoise sari was in gorgeous contrast to the greyness of the day and the surroundings – so much so that I commented on how beautiful she looked to my fellow bench sitter. The woman, ignoring the national dress, the bindi, and other indications of the girl’s heritage, and seeing only skin color, said, “Who? That ‘Meskin’?” It struck me as hard as my first sight of the separate, labeled drinking fountains. Not quite an ignorant kid’s “Injun” , but in the ball park.

That whole scene changed soon thereafter, in no small way thanks to the Texas Medical Center whose medical schools, hospitals and research centers drew students and professionals from all over the world, and dragged the American south into the 20th Century.

Its much better now, everywhere, as you well know, but we still have a long way to go.

Best wishes,

Zelda Dvoretzky
Haifa, Israel

Incidentally, I have a friend here who was born in Martinique, and people are still surprised when she speaks with a French accent rather than an Ethiopian one. “Plus ca change …”