Dear Friends,

As most of you know, I am running for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Virginia State Senate. This nomination will be decided tomorrow morning in Charlottesville at a convention beginning at 10AM.

Last night, at a forum in Charlottesville attended by all four candidates seeking the nomination, a two part question was raised from the audience:

(As I remember it) "What as a State legislator would you do to combat racism in Virginia and, with your wide name recognition in this region why are not more African-Americans here to support your candidacy? This was asked to each of us, and, in the end, none of us tackled the last part at all, and I, at least, didn't do a very good job on the first part.

I have spent most of my life being color blind, and my interaction with other races has been mostly in the military -- an institution where merit almost always trumps race. (I didn't even think to point out that I have a mixed race family.) I think I said that in my heart and brain I oppose racism and, because I am an old-white guy, could not identify very well with concerns of continuing racism.

My daughter and I have a continuing debate about this, focussed largely on affirmative action and what society can do to change the hearts of Americans.

It is clear that I am not well attuned to these questions and seek any thoughts you may have. While the nomination process culminates tomorrow, whether I win or not I will want to hear from you if you have any ideas. If I don't win the nomination they may make me a better person; if I win it, a better candidate.

Al Weed (electronic mail, November 9, 2001).