Hey, Paul.

Thanks for writing this. I thought I’d share an experience I had way back in high school (over 20 years ago), where being white, I was a minority.

I had become good friends with a black guy in 10th grade. One day we were sitting in class and we’re all talking with others and I can’t remember what I gave to him to share (pencil, paper, splitting lunch money, I don’t know), but out of the blue, patted me on the back and says to the other guys, “Chris is my n*gga.”

I didn’t respond in any other way than to smile, because the way it was said, was in friendship, as a term of endearment. I was looking out for him. Doing my best to just be a friend.

I certainly didn’t respond, in kind, by saying he was my n*gga. Nope. I was not going there, and rightfully so.

It didn’t stop us from being friends.

Being called that term, I don’t think I was breaking some barrier or racial divide and I certainly don’t feel any more special than the next guy out there.

I was just being somebody’s friend. That’s what mattered.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share that. Again, thanks for writing this article and spelling some things out.