I lived in St. Louis

I share the desire of Michael Brown Sr. (not to be confused with the stepfather) for nonviolent change on all sides. I’m not surprised at what happened in Ferguson. I am amazed it didn’t occur decades ago.

St. Louis is the most segregated place I have ever lived, and I resided there for a third of my life. Not just black and white, but also Jews, Germans, Italians and Irish all live in their own enclaves.

I was a racist myself. Fortunately for me, working for five years at scout camp and going to a multicultural college and university, unlike my all-white high school, diversified my later experiences.

This story was originally published November 27, 2014 at 2:00 PM with the headline "I lived in St. Louis."