<p>D dormed with an Asian roomate who had been her friend since 3rd grade. They were in the same circle of friends (primarily white) all through middle school and high school. Her roomate could have had been part of an Asian group that primarily hung out together in high school, but instead had chosen to be with D’ s group of friends. Her roomate had been in our community longer than some of the other Asians, so that may have accounted for her not forming close bonds with them.</p>
<p>Upon entering college, D’s roomate totally ditched her for a 100% Asian group of friends within the first week of school. Her friend had nothing to do with D or some other white friends throughout the school year, except when she was back home during breaks. Then she acted like nothing was wrong. </p>
<p>D was VERY upset, becasue she had never experienced prejudice and had never felt it towards her friend. At times her roomate would bring friends to the room late at night, and thinking that D was asleep, they would comment that they couldn’t believe that she had chosen a white roomate. All of the roomate’s friends were part of an Asian youth church group. Her roomate once commented to D that the Asians in our home community were not “cool” to her in hs…the white kids were…but now that there were “cool” Asians to be with, why should she seek white friends?</p>
<p>So from personal experience, I do not think my D would agree that having a roomate of another race reduced prejudice!</p>