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John Hope Franklin the Highlight of Race Relations Conference

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Gov. Jim Hunt
CHARLOTTE — Day two of Governor Hunt's conference on race relations tackled issuessuch as the clergy's role and the law's role in dealing with racial problems.Tuesday's events were highlighted by a speech from Duke's John Hope Franklin who also heads President Clinton's national panel on race relations.

The conference focused on how racism has caused harsh inequities in jobs,housing, business and school. Franklin commended the group, but added thatmore needed to be done.

Franklin said citizens live as strangers in America, polarized by thecolor of skin.

Those attending the two-day conference agreed. Some said the intensedialogue on race has opened their eyes more clearly to racism.

Gov. Hunt said everyone needed to work to make North Carolina the modelfor racial harmony.

Gov. Hunt said that now that the talking is over, it's time for more workto be done. He said every leader from racial and ethnic backgrounds shouldcome together to strategize a way of attacking racism and abolishing it onevery level.

WRAL'sKellyWrightsaid that many of those who attended the conference aren'twasting any time. The city of Durham will hold a local racial reconciliation conference Thursday.

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