A very interesting subject and perspectives. As a young boy growing up in a big city in the north east USA I know about racism. I went to school in the 60's. I was a half American Indian half white who had the unfortunate problem of the hue of his skin being dark and lived in an all white neighborhood. I used to take bleach and try to lighten my skin up. I was called the N word and sp*c and half N for most of my adolescent life.
I got chased home from school by whites and punched around in school by black and spanish kids. I couldn't walk 2 blocks past my house without a confrontation by another group. In my neighborhood, blacks lived across the Avenue and whites lived by the river.

(((50'SGUY))) - I feel so sad when I read your post. It must have been so horrible, feeling like you didn't fit in anywhere. I feel so bad that you felt you had to lighten your skin. I think you make an important point, that it's not just the typical white man, who's prejudice - there's also prejudice within ethic groups verses other ethnic groups. There's even prejudice within the black community - if you're too dark or too light. I don't like judge by the color of your skin, religion or sexual orientation - only by character alone. I don't know what's the answer. Thank you for your post.