The only Black person in the Norwegian town inwhich she stayed, Michel said some local residentscut off samples of her hair to examine whileothers tried to rub off the darkness of her skin.

She became the center of attention, she said,trying to explain the position of the Blacksduring the Civil Rights Movement, though she feltshe was far removed from the fray when she livedin Pennsylvania.

John Smith, Mayor of Prichard, Alabama,president of the National Conference of BlackMayors and secretary-general of the WorldConference of Mayors, said democracy would only besuccessful if people actively participated in it.

"In order to have an effective government,people must participate in government," he said.

Smith also tried to emphasize the importance oflocal government and community feeling.

"People have lost a sense of municipality," hesaid. "As mayor, I have injected the idea ofbelieving in your own community.