Scene: A first grade classroom on a warm summer afternoon.

Teacher: We are going to have a spelling competition this afternoon. Anyone who can spell a word correctly can go to recess early. We'll start with Mary. What did you do at lunchtime?

Mary: I played in the sand pit.

Teacher: Mary, can you spell "pit?"

Mary: P... I... T?

Teacher: Very good, you may go. Now Tommy, what did you you do at lunch?

Tommy: I was playing with my toy car.

Teacher: Tommy, can you spell "car?"

Tommy: C... A... R.

Teacher: Very good, you may go. Now Johnny, why are you crying?

Johnny: (sniff) 'Cause Tommy and Mary wouldn't play with me at lunchtime, just 'cause I'm black (sniff).

Teacher: My, my. That's racial prejudice. Johnny, can you spell "racial prejudice?"