Jim, it was a great book and I'm glad your Mom-and many others read it.  In fact as a sociologist back in the 60s I also encouraged my students to read  it.  However, that was then and this is now.  Comparing this to Shurtz's behavior is a stretch, as Griffin's brave trip through the Deep South produced much  racial understanding whereas her Halloween party  for her students has caused mostly confusion and anger, well intentioned as it may have been.

If we REALLY want to know how African-Americans feel today, I'd ask you and all posters here to join me in urging our local NAACP to hold a panel discussion with representative community members to discuss "What it feels like to be a black in Eugene today."