Does racism exist in Lancaster County?

I am a 62-year-old woman and a native of New Jersey. I worked 12 years as a ward/health coordinator at Bergen Pines Hospital in New Jersey. And I have worked in management positions for more than 30 years.

I have worked with the public for many years and never encountered anything like I did after moving to Lancaster.

At my place of employment a young, white man called me a racial slur. I felt degraded and overwhelmed when he made the remark.

I called the police department and reported the incident. The officer told me that a person could say whatever he or she wanted to say because free speech is protected under the First Amendment. Freedom of speech is their right, he said.

How long will we put up with racial slurs and name calling while disguising it as freedom of speech? Where do we draw the line?

When I look in the mirror to take a close look at myself I like what I see. I would never make a racial slur against any group of people.

I wondered what this young man was saying to me. Did he mean he was superior to me?

Martin Luther King Jr. had a saying that went something like, "it's not what you call me it's what I answer to."

Every time the world goes forward we have the power to change.

I feel sorry for this young man because he doesn't understand the meaning of what he was saying.

During my stay in Lancaster I have encountered wonderful people of all races.

I hope this letter will help people of all races to be mindful of their spoken words. No one should have to wait in line for respect.

God is the greatest influential source in our lives, second to his grace. The thoughts we think have the foremost influence on what we will do or become.

Bess Ruffin

Lancaster