Bodyhammer, can you provide a source that says minorities in the US cause the most crimes?
Also, the Chinese DO speak English. In fact, more Chinese speak English than Americans. Same in India, the most Emglish speakers are there.
Alansmithee, I strongly encourage you to go abroad. I think you would get a lot from the experience. Have you considered travel study or travel abroad? Those would be great options.
Japan is...interesting. As a black man, you will see first hand the strange phenomenon of "black worship" as well as 'extreme' racism (the Japanese have rather racist tendencies [generalization]). Go check out your schools career center or study abroad center - they'll have lots of info on the best ways to travle and stuff. You could teach English in Japan ($30,000 per year plus expenses), anyways, tons of opportunity.
Or you could do the obligatory tour of Europe. Or Mediteranean: Spain, North Africa, Italy, Greece etc.....
Shit, now I'm getting the itch and I just got back from Greece and Turkey (talk about scary - I was in both places in Turkey that were bombed). Well, Alan, I may just go with you if you want a travel partner
By the way, anyone see "Burn Hollywood Burn"?