Yeah, a bit of both of these would be my guess. More the former. It's important to remember that we're only a few generations past segregation. Black people distrustng white people, especially amongst older generations, is basically unavoidable.

I think a lot of people just don't think about racism. Just as a lot of men don't think about sexism and a lot of straight people don't think about homophobia. They don't think about how people's lives differ from their own. And for the people whose lives are most affected, this feels like selfishness. Or even complicity. I understand that sentiment even if I don't quite share it.

This is where the idea that you're either actively fighting racism or you are racist comes from. It is too simple. I agree. But I also understand the point being made.