I abhor people who 'tap-dance' as you put it just to prove they are not racist. That is not me! The only point I was trying to make was that I was not someone who was insensitive to these issues and yet I hadn't detected as much of a problem as you had! I assumed the fact that I had heard the caller mention she was African-European while you had not might have been the reason we read it differently. I hesitated before mentioning my (genuine) friends precisely because I didn't want to sound like one of your so-called 'tap-dancers'. I assumed that people on this forum might see the difference. I am disappointed that I was wrong, and frankly hurt that you are assuming the worst of me, and not just taking what I say at face value. I am not some do-gooder trying to make a good impression, whatever you may think. My opinions are not based on some attempt to be correct or in some way seen as doing the right thing, they are based on a lifetime of having friends (some of whom, coincidentally, happen to be of different cultures etc than mine), and of sometimes experiencing and witnessing some of the appalling comments that have been aimed at them ( some of which have been quoted on this thread!). But mostly it comes from a lifetime of knowing that drawing conclusions about people based merely upon their colour, language, culture, orientation or religion is unintelligent. I am appalled that I have apparently caused some sort of offence, although I am still not entirely clear how!
Anyway, since you have already drawn some sort of seemingly immutable opinion about me, there is very little point in defending myself in this regard and I am replying now only to set the record straight on this forum.
I am sorry that this thread seems to have taken a rather dark turn, with accusations flying all over the place. I only contributed to it because I saw what happened differently to you and thought I could contribute usefully. I shall know not to make that mistake again.
