You commented that I am still "talking like a very white person." It is true that I am white. It is also true that I am gay and Jewish and that the love of my life is a wonderful Black man. When we see only one facet of a person, it is tempting to interpret what that individual says and does in light of the assumptions that we make about that particular facet. But when we do so, don't we often miss the point?

What I attempt to do is speak like a person who believes in truth (which is often complicated and nuanced) and in fairness--which is impossible to do when we stereotype the other. I am very well aware of the painfully ugly history of this country and of the lingering racism which is both individual and systemic. I am also aware of the ugly history of Great Britain and the British monarchy.

William was born into an institution that is as rigid as it is ancient, and he grew up knowing that his future was predetermined and virtually inescapable. He was also taught to, above all else, conform to the role that had been planned for him and to the customs of that institution. One of the customs is that all comments about controversial matters are carefully worded statements from the palace--not spontaneous ad libs from family members.

I wasn't suggesting that anyone--Black or white--care about royal protocols. Rather, I was questioning the fairness of lumping all of the family members together and judging them as if they all were in lockstep. Should Great Britain (including the royal family) do more to reverse the damage that they inflicted on indigenous peoples around the world? Shouldn't all of the former European colonial powers do so? Absolutely! But that wasn't the issue being discussed.

And lastly, with respect, wasn't your opening comment about me speaking like "a very white person" a little bit dismissive?