John Hope Franklin the Highlight of Race Relations Conference

Day two of Governor Hunt's conference on race relations tackled issues such 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 that more needed to be done.

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

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

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

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

WRAL'sKelly Wrightsaid that many of those who attended the conference aren't wasting any time. The city of Durham will hold a local racial reconciliation conference Thursday.