Addendum

I think there is something important missing from what I have said about the racist issue. I received an email gently chiding me for talking about my experience with it as though it were significant in the course of human events of the same nature.

I want to be very clear: in no way do I feel I have been grossly mishandled or maltreated to the same degree as all those who have truly suffered racism (accent on the suffered). To do so would smack of an entitlement I am ashamed to have been thought to possess. I feel, however, that grading racism will give far too much power to those who practice it, too much slippery slope of, "oh, that was only a little racist"*. So I say only "racism," and do not give it a degree. I thought that describing its context would be sufficient for the reader to understand I do not count myself a martyr, but if it is not, let me clarify. I think it is thoughtlessness acted out on race lines. I do not think this is particularly conscious, simply uncaring. It is not self-aware behavior.

I, of all people, support lexical clarity, and if there is a better word for this than "racism" I will use it happily, to avoid the misconception that I think of myself as suffering as victims of institutionalized racism and hate crimes have.

In short, as my friend said, " it's saying 'huh. this happened. it is racism. that is interesting! I am able to have this reflection because at home I am super privileged.'"

*Cue jokes about midget members of the KKK. Out of your system? Good.