We recently read a short story called "After you, My Dear Alphonse" by Shirley Jackson. It was about a little boy named Johnny who brought home a African American friend, Boyd. It had a very straightforward theme; don't make assumptions on how someone looks.

Johnny's Mother Mrs. Wilson thought since Boyd was African American that his family was poor and didn't have much money to buy food. " `Now eat as much as you want to, Boyd,' she said. ` I want to see you get filled up.'" She also assumed that Boyd's father had to do hard labor in order to provide for the family and was unable to obtain a high position in a company. " `I'll bet he's strong though,' Mrs. Wilson said. She hesitated. `Does he...work"' `Sure,' Johnny said. `Boyd's father works in a factory.' `There, you see"' Mrs...