Okay, White 'Murrica....

[Thumpalumpacus]

In a debate, sure. I thought this was a conversation. You seemed to be complaining about how rough you have it as a white male, what with all the unfair assumptions. I was offering some perspective, that's all.

It's a fallacy no matter the context. In a discussion, offering perspective is cool. The assumption that I lacked it was a little scrunchy from my perspective, but hey, I'm online, I don't expect people to be generous in their assessments.

OK, now I gotta wonder why people would make that assumption. I'm 54 years old, I've lived in Hawaii, California, Israel, Tennessee, and now North Carolina, and I have never had anyone assume that I'm racist simply because I'm white. I've had interactions with black people who were somewhat guarded until they figured me out, but i cannot think of a single instance when someone automatically assumed I was a racist.

I gave one example above, in my reply to Blackout. Here's another: I had a buddy in California, a fellow guitarist, and we used to hang out, and jam, and drink beer, and talk politics and whatnot. Once he learnt I was from Texas, he started injecting racial slurs into his speech, I mean within ten minutes, until I told him really didn't appreciate that sort of thing and please don't do it in my house.

The obvious connection he made was, white guy from the South equals racist.

Maybe you could ask your brother-in-law if there's something about you that triggers his racism radar? Because I guarantee you, it's more than just your skin color.

Why am I not surprised by this? Do you really think I haven't spoken to Al about this? And what basis do you have to offer your "guarantee", other than your own opinion?

You don't happen to wear a cowboy hat or feed cap, or drive a pickup with a gun rack, do you?

Do go on.