I've attempted to apologize to Susan

It was a very nice apology (accepted), as well as proactively offered, and I also apologize for the amount of personal energy that went into my replies in the effort to answer the questions that were raised.... I know that some people get really, really nervous/tense/worried when it looks like I'm "going after" Azizi-- I've had PMs about this in the past.

I believe that to be less than authentic with someone, out of a concern that my words will be mistaken for racism, is, itself, racist-- I believe that when you really respect someone, as a person, as I respect Azizi, you don't tippytoe around "the color line"-- because if you do, what you are seeing is not the person, but the line. Of course we all do our best to be as gracious in our honesty as possible. But what's possible, I think, is a variable, not an absolute. (Would I like to do better next time? Of course.)

So again, as I often confess-- I am sorry I am not perfect. :~) What you see is what you get, though, not tippytoed BS.

~Susan