I appreciate the article you have written pertaining to the building divide (March 2007), although there is some truth, especially from Jay Shackford of the NAHB.

I have been in the home building business for over 25 years. I have learned through the school of hard knocks. There is a good old boys network no matter what that individual says. I agree with the Latinos and Hispanics leading the race. We have a long way to go yet in the year 2007.

We haven't been wrong about the problem. My organization is trying to do something about this by training and helping people help themselves.

I would also like to commend Mr. Shackford and Mr. Ruiz for being honest. We have this same problem in St. Louis. I have been working in the construction business as a first-line generation, and believe you me, there are plenty of horror stories.

I agree with Mr. Ruiz and Mr. Shackford because the others are fooling themselves. We are the only people to have free enterprise. Believe it or not, I will not be building the Caucasian middle class homes and having an all African-American crew working. This just isn't happening in their communities, only the African-American communities, and we're always saying it doesn't make a difference.

Samella Henderson

St. Louis

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