Better things to do.

Cowards? Are we cowards about race? I am cowardly about some things in my daily life. Race is not one of them. I would LOVE to talk about race. A lot. For extended periods.

The trouble - from my white male perspective - is that whenever a conversation about race is initiated it ends up being, in fact, not a conversation about race at all. Thoughtful people who do not tow a party line by spewing a litany of victimology bromides are quickly slapped down as "racist". This ends the conversation. There is a deep, deep attachment to the problem and very little intelligence directed toward a solution. Brutal truth: My experience tells me it is not thoughtful whites who are attached to the problem. Maybe I am wrong. Let's talk about that.

Holder called us "cowards" which is not exactly an invitation to speak freely. Nor was the relentless double think of the Obama Pods last year.

It is amazing and important to have a biracial candidate - but IF YOU DO NOT SUPPORT HIM YOU MUST NOT DISCUSS RACE AND YOU MUST BE A RACIST.

Deny it all you want. That is what happened last year. Openly. Smaller states that went for Clinton were full of "racists". There were South Carolina Obama rallies with thousands screaming "race doesn't matter." Except, of course, if Geraldine Ferraro voices her opinion. Then it matters - oh boy - does it matter. Can we talk about that? The Obama campaign's sneaky and vile attacks on the Clintons as racist is another example. Can we talk about that? Or how about the ongoing, secretive, relationship he has with Phleger - a man whose racism was, literally, put on a pedestal and blasted across Obama's church. Can we talk about that? Or Obama's embrace, then dismissal of Wright? Can we talk about that? Can I really say what I think about Jackson and Sharpton without being bullied and trashed like Ferraro? Can I say out loud that I do, in fact, see a deep corrupting influence in the Black "leadership" AND at the same time that I try diligently to comprehend the pain of the history of race in this country? As a white man am I allowed this?

Sure doesn't seem like it.

This "race conversation meme" is rightfully interpreted by many whites as "We talk. You listen" Why is it that the only whites that are given the megaphone are either blatant racists or 60s liberal apologists? There are other views. There are those of us who would like to have a real conversation in which EVERYONE is allowed to talk.

Here's a little truth I don't think gets spoken enough: Non racist Whites do not care about race to the same degree that Blacks do. (Racists of any color do care about race a great deal.) Since this is, by no fault of my own, not as pressing an issue for me as it is for some, I am left with having to make an effort. But the effort is never rewarded, and frankly, it is not pleasant being bulldozed into the stereotype chair whenever a view that might confront the real problem is introduced. It is not cowardice, Mr. Holder, it is annoyance and exhaustion.

Don't tell me we must "have a conversation about race" when you mean "let me talk about how badly Blacks have been treated." That is a different - though potentially valuable - talk.

In 2009, with the economy caving, the BRUTAL TRUTH is: this alleged conversation about race does not include me and so...wait for it...I don't care. Why don't I care? I feel no white guilt. I did. But I don't anymore. I got tired of it. It got me nowhere and, in the end was counter productive. Tough, but true.

Here is the real "conversation about race" I'd like to have: Black anger and frustration, and White guilt exhaustion. If "both sides" can talk as adults about this we'd make some progress.

Calling me a coward doesn't even make me angry. It is worse than that. It makes me shut people like Holder out. Or off - as the case may be. Feel free to jabber on about what a victim you are and what a coward I am. I have much more pressing things to attend to.