I am beyond fortunate to have not only grown up with a Black mom and family as my second set, but also to have in my life a kaleidoscope of multinational friends. The three closest to me are a gay woman, a Black woman and an Hispanic man. I’d be poor indeed if I couldn’t make that kind of room.

To your point, Marley, kindly don’t get me started about ex-pat spots which perpetuate the hate. Just don’t even. If I get to carve out a few months a year in Colombia, I am studying the language, brushing up on my salsa and other Latin dances, and doing a deep dive. If I want English speakers I’ll go find local students. I’ll be happy to talk to White locals but I”m not gonna seek them out. The whole point is to be in another culture, not to colonize.

You are welcome. And again, I get it. When people dismiss our truth, then that tells me right them and there the veracity of it. It’s in their faces and they cannot handle it. The same goes for those of us speaking about our sexual assaults. Just because you can’t relate, Billy Bob, that doesn’t make it fake news.