I have no problem with people taking issue with what I say. I write for a living, I'm very well versed on these subjects and happy to discuss. I only have an issue with how you handled it. You're a white person talking to a black racism writer about racism, yet there's not a single question in you. Think about that.

You don't ask why I think in a way that counters some of the narratives you've heard. You don't consider that maybe you're the one who's got it wrong. You don't simply acknowledge that black people don't all think the same way and so maybe my opinon represents a group of black people you haven't heard from so often. You go in all guns blazing as if you understand the issue better than somebody who not only lives it but studies it.

If I read an article by a woman about sexism, don't you think it would be arrogant of me to call her perspective stupid before I even knew who she was or why she thought the way she does? This is the kind of hubris I see all too often and it's exactly what I continually find from white people who have read a few of the latest trendy books on racism.

I'm in the unusual position of speaking to hundreds of people (black and white) about race and racism in the comments of my articles. As you can see, in two days this article has over 60 comments, almost all of which I've responded to personally. I know exactly what I'm talking about and have numerous perspectives on this issue that you don't. So maybe, the next time a black person says something you "take issue with", approach them with the recognition that it might be you who's missing something.

If you're in the habit of calling people's oppinions stupid, I suggest you stop. It's not very likely to open the door to a conversation where one or both of you might learn something is it?