At first, you had me cracking up. Then it became hard to read. It was offensive, but in the correct way. Offensive so as to jolt me hard enough to consider a different point of view. Clearly, I’m white (hence the white dude in the picture). I’m familiar with my feelings about the N-word, but it’s not something I have felt I could go around asking “So, why is this OK from one group and not another?” without looking like I was trying to start a fight…so I didn’t. The offense, the jolt…they help me begin to understand your point of view. They let me imagine, albeit very limited, what it might feel like. And it breaks my heart.

I’m so sorry for the hurt and anger that exists and any part I’ve played to cause it to the people in my life.