In March 1968, the famous Kerner Commission Report said: "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white - separate and unequal.. ." Over 20 years later, a New England Journal of Medicine cites the death rate for black men in Harlem as higher than that of Bangladesh. Can the movement be reversed or is the gap too wide to bridge?

Foundation, Winston Salem, will explore with panelists what choices Americans still have to conquer race and racism.

Dr. Robert Seymour, pastor emeritus of the Olin T. Binkely Memorial Baptist Chuch in Chapel Hill, explains that racism is a problem throughout our society. He states, "All of us are capable of racism whether we are in the majority or the minority. It is endemic to all of us regardless of our national origin or color." Kelly Alexander, president of the north Carolina NAACP describes a racist person as one who believes that he/she has a devine right to be in the position he/she is in, that person perpetuate negative stereotypes on everyone else."

Dr. Valerie Batts, executive director of Visions, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts believes that racism occurs on four levels. These include a personal level, an interpersonal level, an institutional level, and a cultural level.

The panelists suggested several ways in which one can help eliminate racism. These include education, multi-cultural workshops,

PANELISTS: Kelly Alexander Jr., president of the North Carolina NAACP

Dr. Valerie Batts, executive director of Visions, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass

Charles Hayes, U.S House Representative

Booker Izell, manager of Human Resources Development for Cox Enterprises in Atlanta

Dr. Robert Seymour, pastor emeritus of the Olin T. Binkely Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill

The panel discussion was moderated by Valeria L. Lee, Chair of the North Carolina Center for Public Television and Program Development Officer for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The Executive Producer is Dr. Paul Vandergrift.