She was in tears, and I almost cried too.

Dear Hatley, I do not know if you were raised without prejudice, or learned to be free of it as you grew. I have seen this often. I have worked in nursing homes, several times. In some areas it is not so bad, but a young black African lady (from Nigeria, I think,) was working at several nursing homes to send for family members. I worked with her here in my town, and she was well liked, my niece worked with her in the nearby German background community and they were mean to her, and she was staff. Those elderly people had never outgrown their prejudices because it was strong in the community as well. I worked in a nursing home where a Vietnamese Veteran had to be kept totally on another wing and in other rooms from a young traumatic brain injury Vietnamese person. The Veteran would have murdered the other man, who was actually born in the US. I think it would be neat if Perla could end up as your roomie.

This is more offensive to me cause I'm a Filipino. I do hope she's okay, and thank you for people like you who are open minded about races.

Of course we should; BUT there is sometimes a generational problem. I had an aunt who when she was 95 required a temporary live in carer. The woman that was sent was from Nigeria. My aunt was incredibly racist to the point that she wanted separate toilet arrangements! My sister met the carer and explained that my aunt could be very insensitive. The woman replied that she was very used to older people being racist and thought that it was because they had grown up at a time when people from ethnic backgrounds were seen as being somehow "different" and inferior. She didn't let this worry her and actually she and my aunt ended up being surprisingly friendly. I suspect that the offender in your home is past changing her spots. But what mustn't be allowed is for her to be permitted to bully and manipulate others for her own benefit. She needs to be told very plainly that she is offensive and that such behaviour is not acceptable. However, it does sound like Perla will be better off in another room although I can't help but feel that it is the innocent being punished in this case.

What if; if one of the worlds famous personality or a politician prejudice against its own country men in the name of democracy or in the name of constitution........just like every coin has its two sides in the same way every such personality have both the blunder as well as some of achievements otherwise he would have been a GOD and not one among us. I too feel it and I am against that roommate who have abused Perla,here one small thing I would like to share it with you that Perla been subject to such thing at the age of 60 or so while she have passed off most of her tender age and quite mature enough,simply change the room and lodge a complaint to the right authority.

I am a filipino, and I went to another country before and worked., but I am very thankful because people in that place seemed to be very understanding, hospitable and really a great people...I just feel so sorry for my fellow filipino that being predjuiced by her roommate., and to think she's already 60 how could her roommate be so awful to her. anyway, we can't please everybody and specially her roommate seems to be mentally disturbed. Thanks to you and to your friend kristine for helping perla, God bless.

It should be true that prejudice is behind us and everyone should be accepting of other races. But some peoples parents still are stubborn racists. Personally if i see a racist I avoid them but if they say anything to me I pretty much just want to beat them until they address me right but yea I dont cause the best way to beat a racist is to not take any offense from them. Although I think you should report it more than to the nurse. Might want to take it to like the R.A or housing if your at a college. Also you could look into a lawsuit but might be more trouble than its worth. Although I think it would be awesome to teach them a lesson it might attract some people who will take stuff out of proportion.

It is terrible that this still happens. I noticed today in a public bus, that everyone except my daughter and I, avoided sitting near the back where some Aboriginal people were sitting. When you say this filipino is your table mate, what does that mean? Tablemate where? Why does Perla have to sharte a room anyway? You mention a nurse. Are you in a nursing home? Im sorry I dont know enough about you.

I think tolerance should be the standard, but sadly I think most people will face some sort of discrimination in their life time. It might be due to gender, race, religion, age, or any number of things. It always hurts to be discriminated against, but at the same time I think you must feel some pity in your heart for the offender. I feel bad for people who think they can judge a whole group of people, because obviously they are missing out on making friendships, learning new things, and discovering new perspectives... and that is what makes life worth living. I think for the most part these types of prejudices are passed down from generation to generation, and it makes me sad to think that person has been brain washed into a life of hatred. If only their parents realized what they were stealing from their children when they taught them to feel this way.

Hello Hatley, We should not be acting like dominating the world. Were the same human and acted as human. As far as I know only animal have segregation in their races but human should not be like animal because we are all created by God, equal. As we in mylot, there is no discrimination in terms of anything that we are intent to do here. Whatever color that we have or races we are coming from we are equally exchanging ideas and accept the fact that we are one in common ... Have a nice day!!

You would think in this day and age prejudice would go away already. However, there are still so many ignorant people in this world. My heart goes out to your friend. I will never understand how people can live with themselves being so close minded. How would they feel if people were prejudice against them. I alway believed and lived by the motto "do onto others as you wish them to do too you." The world would be such a better place if everyone lived this way. I'm proud to say that if you saw me on the street you would think I was just a white person but I'm also Puerto Rican, English, Czeechoslovakia, American Indian, Irish. I also have Blacks and Italians in my family. Not to mention the different religions we all are. I feel like we are the united nations and I love it.

Your friend's roommate is ignorant. I don't see why people feel the need to be like that. I hope that your friend gets another room. She doesn't deserve that abuse. It would be nice to see the roommate get kicked out.

She's mentally ill so it says it all. That lady has her own problems too. So i guess, transferring to another room is the best solution. Thanks for your support.

Even after development, the world remains under a cloud. That is why each country is preparing weapon spending huge amount of money.Moral values to be taught to be kind to all.

Yah racial discrimination is a barbaric act. It does not deserve even a scant consideration in this civilized society. That stupid person shall live only within the bounds of her/his own home, never go out in order not to deal with other people. A cave maybe in a desert with no air and sunlight even is the best place for that moron person to live.

Oh Hatley poor Perla that is just so terrible It is bad enough that you are all there but to have to endure that to is not nice at all and must make her feel unwanted and miss her Family I am so glad that she has you and I really hope the move the poor Woman away from that horrible Person Ok the nasty Lady is sick but there is still no need for that

Hi Hatley,I'm so sorry that your friend's roommate is going thru all that. You would think that as intelligent human beings that we would have evolved more than that by now. I think we've come a long way in the past 40 years but sadly we still have a long way to go. When Obama was running for presidency I was appalled at the amount of closet racists that opened up. Hopefully they will find your friend a new roommate. she should not have to deal with this kind of crap.

Awwww, that's awful, especially today. I don't know why people are still like this. I hope they can move her somewhere that she is welcome with open arms. People should take people for who they are, not what color or race they are, but we're still in that type of world. I wonder if this will ever stop and I doubt it will be in my lifetime unfortunately. There is good and bad in all races, it doesn't make any difference, and I wish people would understand that. It's good you are her friend and will be by her side.

What a shame that a nice person has to be treated this way! It still surprises me when I hear of racism such as this in this day and age but coming from someone older who could possibly have mental issues it is not all that shocking. Sadly there a lot of people like this in the world; we forget because we are being so educated against discrimination and racism. There are still many out there and a lot are of older generations and there is not much chance of their minds ever being changed unfortunately. I hope Perla now has the room mate she deserves.

I think God created every race and therefore we should be equal in each others eyes. If God took the time to perfect us then it seems we should take the time to get along with each other.... I think your friend needs to start looking for another place to live where she is not treated so badly....I know it is hard to relocate even if it is down the street but will mean alot to her well-being and self-esteem as a person... Tell her to be proud of who she is

Hiya Hatley, Really so sad that this kind of thing still happens anywhere all over the world. It happens here a lot too, the very people they asked to come and work here are often treated quite badly wage wise, living wise and socially wise. It´s mainly South American People I´m talking about. The other People from other Countries have their problems too about the same as the others. Perla is such a lovely name it means Pearl in English. I have been treated like that too here I will always be a foreigner to some People you cannot change what they feel they have told me so to my Face I got attacked twice for being from England I shan´t put the reasons so as not to offend anyone else but yes I was attacked twice because of prejudice. Others have not been so lucky. You see I stood my ground and told them that if that was the case they were no better than me. Hows that get you? I did´nt like doing it but they respect you more for it. I hope Perla finds a better roommate soon. Take care now.