Kurt and Jim bring out some excellent points to ranger Hare's essay. It appears, we have a long way's to go, regarding ranger X's comment which borders on a bit of anger if not cynicism. Just knowing that some of us busted are butts off in college to get good grades with hopes to land in a respectable job, but to be squashed out by the goverments affirmative action clause. Believe me, there's alot of bitterness over this, especially considering medical school enterance applicants (remember the famous Bakke vs. University of California at Davis in the 1970's). Well, the bitterness still lingers. Personally, I believe in leveling the playing field for more opportunities for minorities in all aspects of the job market...and I'm white too.

In regards to the National Parks, I sense that the parks have now become an old vanguard for whites to secure jobs as rangers without many challenges from other minority groups...if so, it's few. Ranger Hare quotes, that "we don't do things like that" referring to blacks participating in the great outdoors. Why is that? is it because it's a cultural thing that blacks (or another minorties) have no great interests in the National Parks, is it because of fear, or the lack of education. I'm sure if there were lot more blacks and other minority groups visiting the parks today, the blacklash of words might be "there goes the neighborhood" mentality. Yes, I agree with Jim and Kurt, we have a long, long way's to go. As Rodney King (brutally beaten by the LA Police Dept.) once said, " can't we all get along", right after the famous race riots regarding his sever beating. My point is, the National Parks can be a great melting pot for all of us to get along...and learn...respect one and another. The door must be open wide for diversity and let's start with the National Parks.