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THE QUESTION: R530: I’ve noticed that black people smell differently than white people. I’ve had a black roommate and a black girlfriend, and I’ve noticed that their rooms had the same aroma. I’ve also noticed this trait riding the subway and sitting next to black people in my computer class. I’m sorry to say that this particular smell I’m referring …

THE QUESTION: R540: I heard recently from a friend in Northern California that in her place of work, she often hears white women say somewhat rude remarks about white or black men and their Asian wives. For example, “He’s married to a little Asian girl; he likes those submissive types.” In this particular area of California there are many Asians, …

THE QUESTION: R550: How do people deal with prejudiced members of their own family? For instance, no matter how many times my mother and I tell him that “colored” is an inappropriate term for black people, that’s the term my father uses. The man isn’t stupid, and there’s nobody else in the room but family when he says it, so …

THE QUESTION: R560: I’m curious to know why so many black people use profanity in public. In the last few weeks, I have witnessed many black women (and men) swearing loudly at each other and generally bringing attention to themselves. POSTED DEC. 16, 1998 David, 44, white male, Minneapolis, MN ANSWER 1: I think it may be more of an …

THE QUESTION: R570: I am the only African American in a department of about 150 people. It’s been this way for 18 months. I work in the data processing field as a computer programmer. My organization seems to have a problem with hiring minorities. Why don’t they realize they have a problem? How do I reconcile my internal feelings when …

THE QUESTION: R580: Why is it that if a black person says that they only want to date black people, they are showing racial pride, but if a white person says they only want to date white people, they are racist? POSTED JAN. 14, 1999 Hayley, 28, white, straight, Chicago, IL ANSWER 1: For the same reason that if whites …