I would agree with you, Craig, in the same way that any of us can legitimately state that not all white folks feel X, nor all of any of us feel Y. My piece was intended to point out a way of hearing/understanding the statement. Having grown up with two mothers, one of them Black, I have a slightly different take on the topic than some, but most certainly hear your points. The fact is that any blanket statement about any particular group is going to be wrong for some if not many, particularly if context isn’t considered.

You and I could interview any one of thousands of people and get a wholly different take on this topic. No one person speaks for all, even though hubris and arrogance might lead us to do just that. I spoke to my take on the topic, but I cannot speak for all nor would I try to. This is my angle. And while I most certainly would be willing to hear a different take, the gentleman you recommend also does not speak for all Black people. In the largest possible sense, Craig, none of us can speak for anyone, for we aren’t privy to their inner worlds. We can offer a viewpoint, which is ours, with which others might or might not agree. Some agree with me, some don’t, that is the way of it. As it should be, which is why it becomes a discussion.

I do understand the aspirational nature of the statement-but in this regard, Craig, it depends entirely on the person making these statement and the situation in which the words are used. That is of course true of most such statements. I was referring to when people use it in denial of feeling or doing racist things. All such comments have to be taken in context. I certainly understand your point. To that, then I would ask you to understand mine, taken in context. Thanks kindly for your thoughtful comments, I do appreciate them.