Dave in Dallas @ comment 12:

You inadvertently nailed it with your comment about Sherrod’s “normality”: it is that continuing infantilization of African Americans in this country by the enlightened class that excuses them from responsibility for their words/thoughts/actions in cases like Sherrod’s and others which is most frustrating. This is the underappreciated essence of how “the soft bigotry of low expectations” in the adult world, and it leads blacks who buy into it nowhere in most cases unless, like Sherrod, they make their careers in government where it seems to be reinforced from within. And like the guy in the video says, there’s nothing anyone outside “the communiteh” can say in that regard that won’t be slandered as racist talk.

Oh well. You can lead a horse to water but… etc.

p.s. I shudder to think of how your loss affected you, and for how long afterwards by its sheer brutality. Best wishes.