I would like to commend Patrick Higgins for some of his comments concerning Ebony Escorts. He makes two points of value.

First, in his letter, he labels the uncomfortableness that some African Americans feel towards whites as prejudice. That is precisely what it is.

Secondly, he asserts that this prejudice is unfair. Right again, is Mr. Higgins.

In addition to being unfair, prejudice is unproductive, illogical, and hence obviously unwanted.

Unfortunately, prejudice is also quite understandable.

We, both African Americans and whites, are products of a society that has ingrained those feelings within each of us.

These feelings of prejudice are neither just nor unjust, but simply are ours with which to deal.

The recent racial incidents may not justify the fear that some African American women might feel towards a white student escort, but they certainly explain in part why that fear exists.

It is not fair to distrust someone because of his or her skin color, but it is most understandable in the light of both history and recent events.

Prejudice is a reality. This is what Mr. Higgins fails to comprehend. The ability of both African Americans and whites to perceive prejudice to be illogical does not make that prejudice disappear.

We are beings of both thought and emotion. No matter how irrational we think prejudices are, we may not be entirely capable of escaping those feelings of prejudice.