Dear Brian,

Good thinking on the train.  Jackie will be pleased.  The only time I've ever been to New York City was via Amtrak.  My parents and I left from the New Carrollton (Maryland) station.  I think the choice of mode of transportation was due in no small part to my father's love of trains.  In any case, enjoy D.C.  Maybe you'll get a chance to cruise past the cherry blossoms.

Ann Curry's piece about Andi Parhamovich was painful to watch, as I knew it would be.  I can't even imagine her fiance's grief.  I will certainly read his tribute to her.  The subject reminded me of another book I have on my list of titles to get to -"Sweet Relief:  The Marla Ruzicka Story."  It chronicles the life and tragic loss of another young woman, who was only trying to improve the lives of Iraqis victimized by war.

Have a wonderful weekend!

All the best to my girlfriends!
And, Jackie:  You're too young, and I'm too old, but if you have room for a skinny little brown-haired, gray-eyed white girl in your family, I will gladly volunteer to act as your grandchild!  :-)  XOXO

Stabilizer is spelled just like that, not stabalizer as was shown on the news tonight.  Why can't anyone spell anymore?????  My 19-year old college student is an amazing copy editor who can actually spell-- can you give her a job?

Dear Brian, i heard your guest appearance over the radio today on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. I loved hearing you talk about everyday things non television people like myself find interesting. I've always thought you were a news anchor "Hottie' and now you've proved that your cool too by your ipod music selection. I look forward to watching the program tonight.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Nice to see you reporting from the Washington Bureau for a change. Now on to the broadcast. The report by Mr.Costello concerning the crisis in the airline industry with all the grounded planes makes me never want to fly again. All these airlines are really causing big problems for people trying to fly for vacations and work. They should all have been in complete compliance all along to avoid a disaster like this one. I agree with Laurel and Jackie I would take the train anyday as oppossed to flying. It is just too much trouble these days and if one can travel another way then one should do it. Besides I really hate turbulence. On another note the Ann Curry's interview with the Dalai Llama ( I apologize if I misspelled his title) was very interesting and showed he just wants to have peace. I hope these protests cease because it could become a very dangerous situation for the athletes at the games. Time will tell. Finally, I enjoyed the "Making a Difference" segment by Mr.O'Neil concerning the Crave Brothers and their way of powering the machines to make cheese with manure. Never a shortage with all the cows and saves money too. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Have a wonderful weekend!!  Peace to all!

All the best to all my friends!! Be well always!!

It is interesting to see Ann Curry's interview with Dalai Lama. She and others failed to recognize the fact that for centuries, the only people educated or enlightened in Tibet were the monks. The temples and the aristocrates were powerful landowners of the serfdom. Life for regular Tibetans who were illeterate was harsh.

The compassion preached by Dalai Lama to the outside world is very different from the practice back in Tibet when he was there as well as that of his predecessors.

Read the wikipedia that provides some background history about the relations between China and Tibet which is complex and on-going for centuries. The British and India have their own reasons to support the independence of Tibet due to the land dispute with China.

Human Rights and religious freedom are issues of concern in China, not just in Tibet. In the past, the nations established diplomatic relations or trade with China, they are well aware of the problems. In recent days, it is hypocratic for the world leaders seem suddenly "awaken" to that fact and demand something to be done.

The Olympics is one of the few occasions that the best of human spirits and goodwill are on display. To use it as a platform for any political agenda is wrong and not serving to greater good.

I expect NBC to be fair and balance in all your reporting. Check all the facts, not to be blindsided by celebrity status of Dalai Lama.    

Wise choice Brian to take the train your welcome.
Now real story of Cheney isn't his glasses. For 7 years the White House and the Media have reported that the US doesn't torture. The 9/11 Commission had sworn testimony that the US doesn't torture. Now we see the famous memo written in 2002 before the illegal invasion of Iraq. Yes we see written proof that the White House planned torture and spying and all officials signed on. Yes I heard Powell say he was out of the loop yet he signed the torture policy. So Cheney's glasses aren't compared to the torture memo. That's most likely why the public has a hard time trusting information, the truth comes out 7 years later.

Here's the grapevine information on why the airlines is cancelling flights. It's to save money on fuel. Smart move using the story of fixing planes while keeping the customers money. What a profit with over one half million customers losing their money. Oh the 411 came from airline workers.  

Andrea just can't help herself. See might be giving GE some ideas as Bill and Andrea are both 62 and Hillary is 61. So that memory comment might be a way out of a contract for GE. Andrea might rethink that memory lost comment as Teflon John McCain is 71 and still thinks this is the 50's will blacks living in South Philly. Someone should tell McCain American Bandstand is gone. It would be nice just to hear news about the issues and stop the nick picking of Hillary.

I will be watching Meeting David Wilson tonight. I'm glad I don't have to look for my roots as a black woman as I feel we're all related anyway. With one God and we're all his children that's enough for me.

Laural I'd be honored as your already part of my family along with Lisa and Stephanie. Don't worry the kids take care of me for now. I have all the Harry Potter books/movies and they keep be busy with fake questions I know they can answer. I am so bad with kids I just love them all. Children are the only ones who tell you the truth. Don't worry I have the pictures of my kids in my mine and I can see them anytime I close my eyes.

I'm a white woman of 75 reared in a family who never used the n word (northern CA family).
My question is, how is it that black folks use the expression "brother" and sister" in referring to even balcks they don't know. It sounds so exclusionary. Like I'm not part of that Black person's humanity.
Jacqueline Tousley

Thank you, Brian. I found your show tonight on race; very, very interesting and important. I could go on and on, but tonight your show is saying most everything I'd say.

Thank you again.

If you were a neighbor, I'd knock on your door and give you a hug.  Your show on race tonight was just terrific.  I hope that it will air again--Friday night at 9 or so is not the best hour to get people to watch it seems like.  
 The look in the child's eyes when she pointed to the ugly, bad doll as being the one most like she was will haunt me forever.
  Such a thought provoking, wonderful show!

Thanks for airing this documentary AND the panel discussion.  I would have liked to have heard Prof. Carr's final statement that he wanted to make. If you all did end up having further discussion after the broadcast ended, is there a video available of it?  I was unable to access the livestream afterward.  Thanks again to MSNBC for making this positive contribution to the national dialogue.

I watched the race discussion and was astounded and very saddened as the children all identified the black baby as essentially "bad" or not pretty or not good in comparison to the white baby...These children seem to have NO self esteem or pride or joy in their color or identity!  More's the pity -- and I ache for their grown up years.  

Professor Carr was too professorial by far -- I'm not sure what he said, the blacks in the audience appeared to like it but I wonder if they understood it.  

We need more dialogue like this!  Thanks for the program.

Dear Mr. Williams,
I'm not that savvy with finding my way around a web site to get an e-mail to someone like you, but I'm going to give this a try.  Why are you interest in African Americans? Mr. Brokaw did the same thing during his reign.  
With that said, I want to say you're a really good anchor.  I like how you talk to us. Your answer about why you keep talking about Katrina, six months, 12 months after it happened really impressed me.  I remember Katie Couric's attitude toward the continued coverage of Katrina.  She was obviously not happy about having to cover it months later. If Peter Jennings were alive today, you would win my viewership. You're really good.  I like your last few minutes on the nightly news when you pick someone and tell their story.  One more thing.  How tall are you?  

Brian, I watched your coverage on race tonite with my wife and we both agreed and just wanted to say what a superb moderator you are.  We think you played an important role in shepherding the discussion in a way that allowed people to speak honestly without being disagreeable.

What we didn't see though was the fact that African-Americans (or those "representing them") didn't seem to acknowledge their own contributions to the current sorry state of affairs.  We are Africans from Africa; we point out this not in mean-spirited distinguishing sense, but just to point out that most of us come to America, work hard and are able to succeed, despite the fact that we are not extended most of the benefits available to African-Americans.  This is not to say things couldn't be better.

As for the apology part, I don't think it is necessary but if it must be made, it must come from a most powerful American institution (e.g. the Presidency or Supreme Court) in order to assuage some of the sentiments expressed.  Our point though is, that DOESN'T change the status quo in any way.

Let's keep the conversation going.  I hope the other networks will follow suit.

I enjoyed watching Ann Curry's exclusive interview with the Dalai Lama.  She did a great job.  I always love watching all of her interviews.

Dear Mr. Williams -- I watched Meeting David Wilson last night and the panel discussions afterward. Kudoz to everyone for their honesty and care with each other. That program, if followed up, sets the conversation off on a good foot. PLEASE do more of this kind of programming. There exist documentaries and experts and participants in the areas of social services, education, psychological counseling all of which and whom could have their own two hours, and those conversations would benefit the one on race as well a host of communities. Last night's program laid out some theses, now let's go get some full disussion of those theses. This is one of the services 'mainstream' media can perform: not to suggest that the conversation be had, but to set a forum for it and persist. It would be money and air time well spent. -- Thanks for the show, and to all the panelists and Howard U for their bravery and clarity. -- Simone Roberts

I have a suggestion for your segment on Making a difference.  Mike Conklin, Danville, CA has spearheaded an organization call Sentinels of Freedom.  It provides four year "scholarships" (a place to live, rent-free, a special vehicle, a job and a group of mentors to help the young men and women that have been severley wounded in the Iraq war.  Some of the recipients are double, or triple amputees, other have other serious war injuries.  The motto is We will never Forget you; we will never Forsake you.

The SOF Foundation has been underwritten by REMAX and has large corporate sponsors, like AT&T.  Jobs have been provided by UPS, AT&T, Wells Fargo, etc.

The program is still in its infancy, and in need of wider sponsorship.  It is one of the most heart-warming stories you can imagine.

I am part of the Blue Star Mom Chapter in Danville and our role is that we provide all the home furnishings (brand new, not used), pots, pans, pantry, etc

Anyway,it would be a good story

Dear Brian: Masterful job on the "Meet David Wilson," Show.  We watched in entirety.  Wilson A did a magnificent job, a classic.  Wilson B was also a very credible man.  Your panel for the most part was intelligent and thoughtful.  I would except, however the Georgetown Professor who used it as his personal platform and exposition of his oratory.  The man sitting next to the excellent  Chief of Police was also difficult, awaiting apologies.  Although admittedly, the Black American experience is different, every ethnic group had its troubles.  Family structure, religion, education, and a sense of personal responsibility caused success before the 3rd generation.  Waiting for society to right the wrongs of the Slaveholding, Southerners of past centuries and fomenting anger among the young, is not the answer, and most of your panel recognized this.  Yes, better schools, better social services, are needed.  Parental responsibility is inherent and has been sadly neglected in this community.  How about government sponsorship of education of Mothers and children together and assistance to the family to get into mainstream America?  Barak Obama has shown that prejudice does not stop self motivated people in this country.  The commercials showing Black women executives in Ford and Proctor and Gamble were a great juxtaposition to some negative comments ...  One of the few commercials I will remember.  As a teacher, I have taught self motivated, successful, beautiful Black students, we cheer their every success.  The promotion of the victim mentality eg. Jeremiah Wright and the aforementioned panel members  will only hurt this community.

Thank you Brian and MSNBC for your committment to race issues.  Our world grows ever smaller through technology and it's only fitting that we as nation commit ourselfs to important issues like race.  While we have made some advancements we still have much work ahead.  History will not treat us kindly, not only as a people of a great nation but as a species on this beautiful planet, if we don't provide education and opportunity and have just such experiances as "A Conversation About Race" to help us  realize that we all share the same world.      

Thank you Brian and MSNBC for your committment to race issues.  Our world grows ever smaller through technology and it's only fitting that we as nation commit ourselfs to important issues like race.  While we have made some advancements we still have much work ahead.  History will not treat us kindly, not only as a people of a great nation but as a species on this beautiful planet, if we don't provide education and opportunity and have just such experiances as "A Conversation About Race" to help us  realize that we all share the same world.      

Because our local cable provider in it's infinite wisdom doesn't carry MSNBC I didn't get to see the special. The promo's of it however reminded me of my first real encounter with what the legacy of slavery, and what my own heritage meant.
I was a sophomore in high school, in the midst of the Civil Rights movement, and at a time when public school texts books told only lovely tales about American history. One afternoon I was in the hallway and happened to notice the name tag on one of the custodians, In my utter ignorance I said to her, that's my grandmother's maiden name. Instead of letting the remark pass she chose to use it as a teaching moment.. " That means that your great-grandfather probably owned mine". I have no recollection of what I said, something very lame I'm sure.

That moment more than anything else has informed my feelings about race, and rights in this country.
My great grandfather, and hers were shaped by the time and place that they lived in, I was later to find out that, believe or not, other descendants of my great grandfather slaves still worked for my grandmother. They owned land that had been farmed by their ancestors and was later deeded to them. Did that make up for the past? I've never been sure. These are the odd bits of personal history that so complicate our discussion of race.

One more comment after finally getting to watch last nights broadcast. Ann Curry has got to be the only journalist in the entire world who could ask the Dalai  Lama if he was a terrorist and not cause an international incident. Maybe it's that kind but earnest
demeanor she brings to her interviews. Kudos Ann!  

I appreciated the documentary and the dialogue afterward.  However, the doll test seems flawed.  Once "the pretty doll" was chosen from the two doll sample, the adult named the only other choice for the children "the ugly doll".  You could see the stunned, stress reaction in the childrens' faces, especially the little girl who was then led to acknowledge that "the ugly black doll" was the one who looked like her.  It is significant the these children identified the white doll as pretty, it is not significant or fair that the black doll was identified as the ugly doll, since there was no other option given.  And no warning ahead of time this was the only other option.  It would have been interesting to here how the children would have described their second choice and to know why they identified the white doll as pretty.  I thought in my brief exposure the white doll looked more feminine.  It would have been a better test if the dolls had identical gender identifying clothes.  I also hope someone apologizes to these children for putting them in this situation without other options and not knowing the options--especially the child who was tricked into having to say she was like the ugly black doll.  It made this a really ugly test.
 
My other thought is about the articulate woman who worked for the Salvation Army.  (and in contrast to the doll test, I don't mean to say the other panel members were inarticulate)  She expressed concern that her daughter was not receiving the positive messages she was delivering to her about her hair and appearance--her daughter wanted long hair like a friend--and, probably, like her mother's.  I believe this mother has every right to wear her hair and makeup anyway she chooses, but may  want to notice the contrast in her own appearance and what she's telling her daughter is beautiful.  Easily accomplished sometimes by talking about what's beautiful for a child and how her daughter will have different choices about her appearance when she's older.

Dear Mr. Williams,

I applaud your role as a moderator in one of the most powerful discussions regarding race I have ever witnessed.  I have encouraged many people to purchase the DVD but would also like to re-watch the panel discussion.  The panel discussion was almost as insightful as the documentary and deserves to be seen in conjunction with David Wilson's film.  Is it also available?

Mr. Williams, I attended the "Meeting Mr. Wilson" event.  The documentary was very good.  You were excellent, as always.  However, I wonder why Tiki Barber was forced into the story?  He added nothing to it.  The documentary could have stood alone without Barber.  But if you HAD to put someone in there why not allow one of your many serious black journalists to bring depth and context to this important story?  Why not Lester Holt, Al Roker, Ron Mott, Kevin Corke, Raheema Ellis, but Barber?  Pulleeze!!! He's probably a wonderful person and a nice guy, but he's an ex-football player.  NBC, you need to do better!

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