Another response featured issues of both race and class, in which the participant demonstrated awareness of his racial group membership and social class status as a research participant. But as the conversation went on, the same respondent appeared to downplay the issue of race. “I have to admit I feel more comfortable if there are Black people in the room. I try not to, but I’m always in the throws of us and them.”Moderator: You’re talking about people of other races?“People, classes, races, whatever. I’ll give you an example. My meeting’s in Town X and it’s evidently clear that these people’s problems in White Town X are not the same as our problems in Town Y. I’m trying not to be partial, but it’s a reality. We’re talking about living on the streets in Town Y, there’s a big difference.”Moderator: Well, what about as far as participating in research? What if there were White researchers here doing this, would you feel as comfortable as if there were Black researchers?“I’m comfortable by the way it’s presented to me. If you tell
