Friends,

Though no stranger to such conversations, there has been a disturbing increase over the last decade. Many work hard to own Liberals. When they hear of my education and practice, they become like racehorses with blinders. The following is the end of a long exchange, the kind I rarely entertain. But gaslighting is common and like a wedge cracking our nation. So, I engaged to have text to review and encourage critical thinking.

The Reader shared a common view; The best way to overcome the senselessness of racism is to ignore and deny it. I can attest to the effectiveness of such efforts, especially when people’s motives are in question (which is often). But I shared when my ex-girlfriend’s parents claimed to not be racist by complimenting my looks, intelligence, and work ethic. Still, they acted with prejudice worrying what racists around town and America might think. I appreciated the Reader’s ability to turn the other cheek, but the more we also recognize and modify racist behavior, the more we extinguish racism.

The Gas-Lighter

Reader: Ah, so you put some kind of importance on “skin.” LOL. Not me. I got over that a LONG time ago. I don’t let my skin color bother me. I used to get picked on a lot for being darker than others. I let it all just go right on by.

Curtis: Yeah, it seems like the small-town Kool-Aid is working for you. I did not put the value on my skin. My ex-girlfriend’s parents did.

Reader: So, you let others determine your life. LOL. I never let that stop me. And it hasn’t…