The whole question of the changing role of Blacks in American society as been the

subject of newspaper articles around the world so frequently that visitors to the

United States do not know what to expect when they arrive. They may be surprised

when they see that Blacks and Whites work side by side in offices , factories , and　

schools across　the country . The majority of Blacks in the United States, however, l

ive in and around only a small number of American cities.

　　　　Many dark-skinned visitors arrive in the United States fearing personal

 attack or expecting various degrees of racial　 prejudice. Some forms of　

discrimination [1] still exist ,unfortunately, especially in the areas of the　housing ,

schools , and jobs . The school equality is still more a dream than a reality.

There are still too many areas of　the country where Black Americans do not

enjoy the same full opportunities as White Americans . However, the vast

majority of American s are working , studying , and sharing public places

together. This was not true even a few years ago in some parts of the country ,

but progress is steadily being made . You will be able to observe the improvement

in race relations as soon as your　plane lands . You will see it in the airport,

in public buses and trains , in theaters , restaurants , rest room, in　sops

 and libraries , in offices and factories . Close personal friendships between

 Blacks and Whites , full trust and social relationships are still not common ,

except in certain areas,　However, even in this - the slowest area

of progress-there has been change , especially among young people.

[1] discrimination　　 n. 辨别, 区别, 识别力, 辨别力, 歧视

Excerpted　from " A Guide to U.S.A. ", edited by Li Yang, Li Yi,

published by Foreign Language　Teaching and Research Press.