Pretty much the same. Anyway, these days, having an “honest conversation” on race can and will get a white person fired from their job and more.
Although thankfully I am in a position to speak my mind and not care, and I do. It’s just not politically correct.
John Derbyshire got fired from National Review for having what he thought was an "honest conversation" about race. This topic is like dissent in the Soviet Union. You do not dare point out unpleasant truths.
I think it’s high time to stop fearing honest discussion.
I was coaching at an inner city high school, mostly black, not a single white face in the bunch, and one black kid was race-baiting me, constantly egging me on to try to get a reaction from me, trying to push my buttons. He was incredibly obnoxious, but I figured I was an adult and he was a kid, so I basically ignored him. Finally, he walked up to me and said, “you don’t like me, do you?”
I said, “No, I don’t.”
He was in shock. He certainly wasn’t expecting that answer. I think his attitude was that it wasn’t politically correct for a white person to say such a thing.
It didn’t happen overnight, but he did change his attitude over the next few weeks. I think he respected my honesty. We had a good and friendly relationship after that.
I’m not saying this will work with everyone, but I do think that most people respect honesty. I think most people do NOT respect people who are afraid of them. And being afraid to speak honestly is a form of fear.