I am a mother to these youths you speak of. I raised two children who are successful college graduates. At no point in my article does it suggest that this cannot happen nor does it discourage youth. I am a mother and a mentor so that is not my goal, nor am I out just for followers. You trivialize this struggle that we have been fighting against for centuries to maintain your space of comfort and to disregard your possible responsibility in this process, which once again further proves the point I am making.

This article was not actually about Black people. This was about why it’s so hard for some white people to even ACKNOWLEDGE racism because they perceive it as a personal attack just as you did. Racism is a systemic condition in this country. We are so far beyond pretending and looking the other way because our children and families are continuing to die. And if this “boot strap” mentality worked, why are we still dealing with discrimination, exclusion, red-lining, and unequal pay with similar backgrounds and educations?

We will never make progress without acknowledgment and action. Period. Long responses that further justify these subhuman conditions Black people are subjected to in this country neither help nor make any difference towards positive change.

My ask of you would be to re-read this article from a standpoint that focuses on you and how you may have contributed to racism — and what you can do or teach going forward to combat it for future generations.