Hey Darren (and Evan), I think the last two paragraphs you wrote here veritably go to the core of the conversation we are trying to have.

There are a couple of things both our sides want each other to realize:

- We are born with the features we have. None of us has had a say in what they were going to be
- The actions of an individual don’t define a group when the actions they perform aren’t an inherent trait of said group
- None of us accepts the ridiculing or harassment of any such group in the first place. We’re about removing generalizations, not about reinforcing them!

And yet, as far as we’ve gotten as a civilization today, people still shine a negative light at other’s races. When that happens, it makes all of us cringe by nature, as does any other baseless form of hate. It is the “trend” (if I may so play down) that I am seeing, where we’re slowly normalizing racism against whites that I find troubling, only a little; a shame, mostly.

My point is that we should listen to minorities carefully (so we understand their problems), be there for them in all ways possible (not by something simple like compensation, but by working on the problems themselves), as well as putting a lot of attention towards individuals that show troubling behavior.

Shawn’s article constructively conveys those messages during 99 percent of the article (which is great, looking at how we’ve let polarization become the new normal). The only aspect that Evan and I did not feel okay with, is the part where Shawn blindly attacks all whites.

Evan in particular very clearly endorsed the whole of the article, except for the part where Shawn slipped up and let his feelings take over the keyboard.
Now, we’re adults; we can start a conversation and try to figure each other out so that we can resolve and forgive. We’re all capable of recognizing a mishap, and I for one am very willing to forgive it as soon as the mishap is acknowledged.

Yet, while the only thing we’re trying to make you realize is that we’re feeling attacked, you come back with an “I hear you, but”, which is something you so nuance-lessly dismissed as toxic behavior before.

Can you really, in good faith, tell me that “Among the many negative things white people are notorious for, and one of the things white culture is most notable for, is the idea of segregation.” isn’t a bit of an ironic statement? And remember, you’re not doing me a favor by admitting that. To me, the statement is still, as hard as it sounds, racist. As long as no one is willing to acknowledge its hateful nature (which becomes pretty evident as soon as you swap the words “white” with “black” and “segregation” with any black generalization), I remain unconvinced that you are in the neutral spot you claim to be in.

That is why I felt obligated, kind of, to tell Shawn that he is crossing a line he normally, probably, passionately, wants uncrossed. My reason for doing so here is because it is especially painful to see people with the best of intentions slowly becoming the thing they’re trying to fight. We (as a people, but minorities in particular) have been fighting racism so hard for so long. Don’t let it become the thing that drives you.

Sorry for shamelessly shoving my 2ct into this thread. I would love to hear from the both of you, though!