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Under the "owie" department, this is the one spot where we are talking past each other.
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++ The sooner we admit that racism and bias is alive and well, the sooner we can really start to change. (Emphasis Dan's.)+
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*Start* to change?
? I'm confused.  How long ago would it have been, what would have been the most recent year, in which it would have been totally impossible for you to help put President Obama in office?  I'm guessing 1972 or so?
The racial differences between America in 2014 and 1962, when I was born, can be seen and understood by a child.
The differences between America in 1962 and 1933, when my mother was born, same thing.
The differences between America in 1933, vs. 1862 (Civil War), are even more vast.
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In America in 1962, the President wouldn't have been black.  The #1 Hollywood star (Will Smith) wouldn't have been black.  America's favorite athletes (Michael Jordan and his $1B in endorsements, Ken Griffey Jr., etc) wouldn't have been black.  As a black comedian put it onstage, "White folks like Tiger more than we do."  Same for Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes, etc.
In the church where I attend, (for instance) a black man is married to a white woman, they are expecting their second child, and nobody noticed.  .... ? In 1962 ?   My best (white) friend just adopted a black child.
How would Richard Sherman have been received in 1942?
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But -- you say -- if I (not intending to be pointed) ever truly admit that I oppress Negroes, then maybe we can START to change.  This type of "inflammatory" (? for lack of a better word) characterization, to me, is what perpetuates our disconnect, and (unintentionally) increases racial tensions rather than decreases them.
Will welcome your reply.  My emotion is that of confusion, not annoyance.  You know where I stand; I think the world of you and your sincerity.  We have a real chance to communicate here.
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