For Augustus Cho, improving race relations will require realizing there are more than two races in town.
Cho, who recently ran for mayor, spoke at Tuesday's forum sponsored by the town's Justice in Action Committee. Panelists were asked how they defined racism and what it would take to eliminate it.
"It's human nature to stick together with people of your own kind," said Cho, who is Korean. While campaigning, however, he said, "I got the sense I could be a good representative of my community, but not Chapel Hill at large."
Race in Chapel Hill is still framed as a black and white issue, even though people of Asian heritage are nearly 11 percent of the town, Cho said. Even the discussion surrounding replacing ex-Town Council member Bill Strom has focused on whether to appoint the fifth-place finisher in the election or a black applicant.
"Is there a quota here?" Cho asked.
