I agree wholeheartedly. I have female Black friends I travel with, dine with in their homes and with their families, and party with. I go many places where I am the only white person, or one of very few. Church was where I started doing that at 15. I have also feasted in the homes of Native Americans, and celebrated Halloween with them on the reservation. My son, sister and I have been adopted by a Hispanic family, and that’s where we spend all the holidays. These are the reasons I understand your essay.