When I was a child the environment that was prevalent in my city had many overt prejudices. There were certain groups that certainly were marginalized. Racial slurs were commonly heard, and many made no attempts to hide their beliefs. I heard these, but was counseled on many occasions by my Mother that these were wrong and all people deserved to be respected. I don’t know where she learned this value but it was at the core of who she was. There were times when she would state this openly to others in my neighborhood without fanfare or personal judgment about their character. Her memory and convictions about the worth of every person has been an anchor for me throughout my life.