"Many South Dakota communities and schools struggle with racist attitudes.

In those districts located adjacent to reservation communities, the divide can be particularly wide.

A recent event in the Chamberlain School District is a prime example. A group of teens there wore shirts to school bearing the words, "White Pride" and featuring supremacist symbols. Their actions occurred as the community was in the midst of an effort to foster a dialogue about racism.

The irony of that timing spurred town residents to take more serious action.

What is happening in Chamberlain is evidence of just how complex and deep the racial issues and divide can be in many of our communities.

But what's heartening is that residents of Chamberlain as well as other communities refuse to be discouraged."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Fight to halt bigotry worth it (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/31)

Related Stories:
South Dakota school vows effort after 'White Pride' incident (05/11)
South Dakota students show up with 'White Pride' shirts (4/29)