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Read other letters about this article
Listen, Kate, I'm black and, outside of my family, I've lived in "white society" my whole life.
Nearly all of my friends have been and continue to be white. Some of them Americans, others Europeans.
I love them, deeply.
Sometimes they say racist things. Most of them don't, but over the years, some of them have said things that make me cringe.
I don't know you.
I do know that you've written some lovely things about the springtime in Texas. I also know that you've written other things that come from a perspective that I can't but consider racist. Now, we can argue about the terminology. Maybe "racist" isn't the most accurate term. Fine, whatever.
The point is that, from my point of view, it's disturbing.
I don't know what to say, really.
This is such a sensitive topic and I know it's nearly impossible to talk about without hitting raw nerves and creating more rancor than it alleviates.
I don't know what to do, though?
Do you have any ideas how to begin to move past the stalemate Obama talks about?
Or does anyone here, btw?
I'm making an effort, as best as I know how.
I'm not here to run into a dead-end or to be incendiary or to waste my time.
So if you've got any better approaches, now would be a good time to share.
