As it happens, I largely believe it too. That’s what made it exceedingly difficult to write the first piece. Those whose company I keep aren’t out there being irresponsible or indifferent. They circle back when it comes up, we do the best we can, we learn, we live, we love.

But the whole world doesn’t live in my circle. There’s no perversion of the concept in my circle where they slip into policing me. And, of course, there is no killing.

In the real world, the concept is bigger than anyone can or will control. We — people of color — pay that price. And it’s time to put that mindset to bed across the board. If no one else can does, I have no choice here. How can I look my children in the eye and say “I did nothing because I didn’t want to cause anyone else pain.”

How? I’d never be able to live with myself if anything happened to them.

Friendly fire kills too.

This is so hard.