This article meant a lot to me. I'm Jewish and live in a suburb of New Orleans. Here, when African-Americans moved in, some whites moved out. Many people here cannot seem to handle others who are different - in other words, anyone who's not a white Christian. This seems to be a much more closed-minded town than I've ever lived in or visited before. People here know they are right and you are wrong - and you will probably go to hell if you don't believe what they say is right, period.

You did the right thing by speaking up for yourself. I've always thought New York was a culturally friendly place, but this opened my eyes to the fact that prejudice can be anywhere.