I am writing in response to the letter to the editor that appeared two weeks ago regarding racial discrimination. I want to commend the writer of this letter for bringing up this sensitive topic to the residents of Manhasset. Sadly enough, this letter did not shock me in the least. What did shock me was the fact that only one person responded to the letter in last week's paper.

This is not just about race; it is about stigmatizing people that do not look like you, act like you, and believe in the same things you choose to believe in. Comments like the one that was made on the train are the result of close-mindedness and jealousy, which, in my opinion, are two of the worst qualities that a person can have.

Growing up in Manhasset, I heard comments of this nature, whether it be in school, in town, or on the train. I did not, however, hear comments like this under my parents' roof. I was raised to understand that this behavior was not the norm and was not acceptable. Unfortunately, there are people in our schools, in our workplaces, and in our own town that were not. The motto in my household was, "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." In two years when I am finished with graduate school, that will be the motto in my elementary school classroom. One day, if I have children of my own, that will be the motto in my home. I know it is a hard motto to live by, but I recommend trying it.

As a side note, since graduating from college last year, I have been working for a nonprofit organization that raises $12 million annually for inner-city schools, which are comprised of 68 percent minorities. To the person who made the racial comment on the train would I be allowed in your club?

Eileen Sheridan