I was heartened to see that a group of young Waterford residents is working to change racial inequities in their town. One place to start is Waterford Beach, whose summer parking fees − when the beach isn't completely closed to outsiders − are an astonishing six to ten times higher for non-residents than residents (residents pay $2/5 on weekdays/weekends, non-residents $20/30).

New London's Ocean Beach Park draws visitors from far and wide and charges residents and non-residents the same daily fees. Lacking the attractions and amenities of Ocean Beach, Waterford Beach is more a local attraction whose natural constituency encompasses visitors from the other side of Alewife Cove, so the sky-high non-resident fees seem tailor-made to keep New Londoners away.

What might be at the root of this lack of neighborliness? I suggest that it is not unconnected to the racial and ethnic differences between Waterford, whose schools are 77.3% white, 10.4% Hispanic and 2.4% African American, and New London, whose schools are 17.7% white, 51% Hispanic and 18.3% African American.

As a concrete first step to reducing racial and ethnic discrimination in the town that some people call "Whiterford," I suggest that Waterford immediately end its policy of racist differential pricing.

Daniel Robinson

New London