Believe it or not, yes
Ignoring him would throw caution to him
By engaging him, you are putting your guard down with that conversation. That is what he wants
I disagree.
I had a white Pan handler go nuts on me in San Francisco.
I ignored him and he went nuts because he took it as a lack of respect, like I thought he didn’t exist, no respect. We stood there shouting at each other, then parted. It was very close to a fist fight.
After that I thought I would give respect and answer.
Fast forward 10 years.
I’m near Atlanta and my car breaks down. I’m walking down a street, late at night, all black neighborhood and I’m white as snow. Black guy stops me, asks for money, maybe 25 years old. Stopped what I’m doing looked through my pockets, I have nothing. He says “At least you tried” and he let’s me pass. I’m sure if I ignored him he would have beat me to a pulp.