Introductions:

Limerick: My perspective on history and cultural knowledge is that we must look at all perspectives to form a better understanding of others and ourselves. The only way to comprehend something is by learning all that you can about that topic, not just from one side. Through my writings (Empire Of Innocence), I have explored the notion of viewing what is typically labeled good or bad, as the opposite. Hopefully, allowing the reader to recognize that every story, experience, and situation has many complex layers that hold value.
Takaki: Racism is one of the dark issues that exist in North America. In my article "A Different Mirror", I wrote about many issue regarding ethnic differences in the past that lead to the birth of America. Everyone should do his or her part in helping eliminate racism.  We should try to educate those who are not as open minded as we are.  Only when people are educated can they learn to avoid problems such as racism. It is knowledge and laws that make us the leading and civilize races.
Trask: I believe that racism in North America is due to a conflict in knowledge. The majority, that is to say white Euro-Americans, has written all the history books. All that is “fact” comes from their point of view. Take for example the story of my people, the natives of Hawaii. My native land was sucked up by European, and later American expansion. As the history books would have you believe the natives of Hawaii were cabalistic savages, and that being conquered was for their own good. The stories the American textbooks tell show my people in a completely different light then the stories I heard from my mother when I was young. In the textbook we were dark, confused, savages, who desperately need the guidance of the benevolent conquerors that invaded our land. The Euro-American view of the conquest of Hawaii is incorrect. History is never written by the little guys…always by the big guys, even if they are wrong, or do not have the perspective of all groups involved. The world’s history, in particular the history of the Euro-Americans, portrays falsely all those who have been oppressive by them. I do no believe that this problem could be easily solved. What do you think Euro-Americans would rather hear, a history of them as a benevolent force spreading goodness across the land, or a history of the violent removal of countless peoples from there native land.
Tompkins: Racism is no more than ignorance. Mass racism is a problem because the education system is not set up to educate people with enough view points to understand other cultures. Racism can be ended, but it will not be fast or easy. It will take a total reform of the education process everywhere. As long as people are taught from these same texts that only use the view of one author, or a group of authors with a single view, racism will never end.
Narrator: Is racism a North American society due to a conflict in knowledge, values, combination of the two, or something else: Are there ways in which this problem can be resolved on a societal level and an individual level?
Limerick: The problem with racism in North America needs to be addressed from all perspectives. The problem derives from the lack of cultural knowledge and sensitivity towards differences. As well as our tendencies to view the opinions and perspectives of others are either good or bad. The issues are more complex and a deeper analysis is required in order to make some kind of change towards progress.
Tompkins: Racism in North America is not the product of any of those points, although they do add to the severity. Racism is the product of mass ignorance. The majority of the population of North America only gets to see one viewpoint. In order to truly understand we need to take into account the views of every culture, especially the cultures of the minority groups.
TraskThe problem is that the majority groups construct history.  All that they say becomes fact.  I do not believe that this problem could be easily solved.  What do you think the majority groups of the world would rather hear, a history of them as a benevolent force spreading goodness across the land, or a history of the violent removal of countless peoples form there native land? It’s really not a hard concept of grasp one you think about it.
Takaki: Racism is one of the dark issues that exist in North America.  In may article “A Different Mirror”, I wrote about many issue regarding ethnic differences in the past that lead to the birth of America.  Everyone should do his or her part in helping eliminate reacism.  WE should try to educated those who are not as open minded as we are.  Only when people are educated can they learn to avoid problems such as racism.  It is knowledge and laws that make us the leading and civilize races.
Narrator: What purpose does distinguishing people by the race serve?
Omi & Winant: “Serves the purpose of identifying each other.”
Takaki: I agree, due to the fact that on my way to the meeting I've encounter a taxi driver that ask me why I speak English so well. I was born in American, and both of my parents are American as well.  Thus, I cannot understand why he would not consider me as an American. Could it be the way that I look?

Tompkins: Distinguishing people by race are necessary because of the multitude of knowledge needed to construct an accurate perspective of culture. Already sounds good to me.

Narrator: Who should take responsibility for solving racism?

Limerick: The perception of the Euro-Americans as being innocent, racism is every ones problem not just those who are directly affect it by it. We must allow ourselves to be open to people experiences and hardships, and excepting them as reality. Racism in North America is every ones problem, not just those who are directly affected by it. (I will expand here)
Tompkins: You blame racism on only the Euro-Americans, but don’t minority groups discriminate against the “white” population?
Trask: Answers the above question
Last Question: How can we solve racism both on an individual and societal level? And can we ever expect to see a change? (Everyone answer this question)
Tompkins: Racism will eventually be extinguished, but only when we are open-minded enough to see things from more viewpoints than are in our history texts now. But racial divisions will never be forgotten because they are an essential tool, not only for recognition, but we also need racial divisions to expand our knowledge. So the key to ending racism isn’t to eliminate racial distinctions; it is to use those divisions to gain more knowledge.
Takaki:  The coexistence of difference races is what makes a certain group interesting.  Because within that group there will be more variety of culture that exist, where as a group of people that only have a specific race.  Take America for example, we can see a variety of face, and each race consider of different food, recreations, and tradition. Its these difference that make America different, however, racism is one of the obstacle that prevent the coexistent between different races to flourish.
Trask: Racism will exist so as long as there is inequality between the different ethnic groups of the world.  Mr. Tomkins, you say that it will vanish when we are’ open minded enough,” well what is that supposed to mean? It’s an easy thing to say, but you haven’t explained how we are to become that “open minded.” I could say that the solution is to “stop that hate.” But that would not mean anything unless I could tell you how exactly and I can not, I don’t believe that there is any simple solution as of yet.
Limerick: As I wrote in my article Empire Of Innocence, “As soon as one begins to understand and empathize with the plaintiff’s case, it is time to move over and empathize with the defendant,. Seldom are there only two parties or only two points of view.” (pag3). Through this discussion this point haves been proven.  We all have are own valuable personally experiences with racial discrimination.  By being open and sharing these experiences we can achieve a more complete understanding of the problems and what is required to solve it.  As far eliminating racism, I feel that it will take a great deal of time and effort, as well as taking responsibility and action.  We cannot simply point fingers or look for a “scapegoat”, instead we must do everything with in our powers to be a part of the solution.