Thank you so much for your thoughtful and open reflection of this article. You just acknowledged what so many Black women wish other White women would grasp, and that is that skin color will always play a part in what people are able to achieve.

While there are many decent human beings in the world, unfortunately those who practice White supremacy out-weight those who don't.

We are often fed the "pull yourself up by the boot-strap" line, but that strap does nothing to eradiate the racism that lies in the hearts of so many.

Pursuing your dreams doesn't hurt others. I believe that's what all of us were born to do. The pain comes from those who block the dreams of Black people simply BECAUSE of our Blackness. That kind of hatred is the sickness that destroys our ability to live in the way we were all intended.