PEKIN - We showed you how Pekin's racist reputation got started, and how far it's come.

Now on our final part to our exclusive series we're showing you what its future holds.

Pekin city leaders all have a common goal in sight to change Pekin's "racist" image.

"Moving forward it's going to be a lot of awareness and education and really making people aware of what a great community Pekin is," said  Community Development Director, Pamela Anderson.

Otherwise it's reputation could be what Mayor Dunn feels is keeping people away.

"That could be limiting to us. We're going to go forward but what are we going to drag along with us. How is that going to limit us whether it's socially, economically whether it's residentially," said Dunn.

Which is why the Human Rights Committee was appointed in October. All nine-members are Caucasian.  It's advisory board has six members, four of which are considered "minorities."

Dr. Rhodora Lee Ho hopes her advisory role on the Committee will get to  the heart of the matter.

"We do need to be culturally sensitive and socially sensitive and so yeah, we're all Americans but there are still going to be those that point out that we're not," said Lee Ho.

As one flier did  with Edgar Sandoval in 2000 about his marriage.  Calling his union with his Caucasian wife "beastiality."
 
"The fact that people wont let the town get past it, is probably the hardest part," said Sandoval.

 "It's the harsh reality to see that not only in this community but in others that those feelings do still exist," noted Edgar's wife, Shannon Sandoval.

Pekin's first African American teacher, Sharon Reed, will also play a role advising the Human Rights Committee. And poses a key question.

 "I don't know that the community has evolved fully, but has any community?" inquired Reed.

A potent question Lee Ho feels might mean Pekin can pave the way for other cities facing the same issue.

"It's got to be something we daily think about," said Lee Ho.

If you're interested in getting involved with Pekin's Human Rights Committee, its meetings are open to the public and will be held every fourth Wednesday of the month beginning in January.