Relations Strained Between Blacks, Latinos in Durham

For months, relations between blacks and Latinos in Durham have been strained. Many groups are trying to put together better cultural understanding and appreciation.

Every Wednesday and Friday, the Eastway Elementary group meets at school to help each other cross their cultural borders. The group is called BAHA-- Blacks and Hispanics are Alike.

Rossana Perez says both communities has problems communicating, and there has been violence associated with both groups. The Eastway group emphasizes education and a better future for the children of both black and Hispanic families.

What they do is communicate in each other's language. Parents volunteer their time. Latinos teach Spanish and blacks teach English. Eastway PTA president Charmel Taborn says she saw so much violence in her own neighborhood, she felt that she personally had to do something about it.

The class designed to help people understand each other, which is BAHA's aim. The group wants to prove that blacks and Latinos are more alike than different.

BAHA has been meeting since July. If you'd like to learn more about the BAHA project call Eastway Elementary school at (919)-560-3910.

andKerrie Hudzinski