I can relate to so much of this by comparison to homophobia, Jeremy. The US is institutionally and culturally a homophobic nation. That obviously doesn’t mean every individual is a homophobe. Listening to straight/cis people protest their innocence frustrates me by how beside the point it all is.

I get it, already.

But if they had to walk in my skin and see through my eyes, they’d be singing a different tune. I wish they’d be quiet and listen sometimes, I really do.

Not that loads of good, caring people don’t exist. Of course they do!

But to combat serious problems like systemic racism and homophobia, people of good will need to listen and carefully evaluate what members of minorities are saying about their lived experiences.

Listening leads to understanding leads to action.

Jim