There are not many cultures or religions throughout history which are untainted by genocide.

Ask the Muslim Uyghurs of Northwestern China, close a million now — one-tenth of their population — who are presently in ‘reeducation camps’.

What about Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya?

Look at the Armenians, the Greeks or the Tutsi or The Circassians or the Chackmas…travel as far back as Genghis Khan, even earlier in time, like the Canaanites or Philistines, and you will see that our species, especially when in the throes of martial tribalism, will enact barbarous and inhumane laws and engage in war, God-ordained or not, and enact genocidal slaughter.

It’s not just white people.

Even though it is not your intent, by only staining all white people with the monstrous genocidal sins of a Hitler or slavery or Grantism, you will alienate not only the ‘white people’ you wish to embrace but will also need in the struggle to stop Trump and his tribal cult from their self-serving elitist creed.

Of course exploring one’s national history, the origins of its systemic racism, the adoption of eugenics, or America’s use of clannish political power to enforce white supremacy, is imperative.

To do otherwise is folly…the lessons of history. I get that.

But it must be pointed out that the reversal of much of the racism you accurately highlight, was most certainly not only the result of the rejection of German fascism, or the limited integration of the US armed forces of World War Two, or the actions of Black activists during the Civil Rights Movement, but it was also changed because of the political will of Jews and White Christians and even ‘White’ Presidents like Kennedy and Johnson.

So in order to halt the increasing resurrection of racism so apparent in Trump’s presidency, intellectuals like yourself have to move away from white blame and shame, especially if most of the people with political power in pre-World War 2 America are dead: even if some of their ideas are not.

Those currently mired in hatred you will most assuredly not reach, they are beyond your reach.

You must appeal to those ‘white people’ who are on the fence or who feel unwelcome or who are afraid to engage.

Ask them to the political table…and for God’s sake get as many of one’s friends/colleagues/political allies to drop the insulting if not equally racist ‘white privilege’ moniker.

And while you’re at it, isn’t it also important to ask white men to the table too? Regardless of their age? Didn’t they also play a role in the Civil Rights movement?

If you haven’t read it already, Muslim Canadian Mirshad Manji’s latest book, “Don’t Label Me” highlights the dangers Identity Politics presents to a democracy.

Therefore, it is equally if not more pressing to especially condemn the insidious and highly divisive nature of Identity Politics, for it is thwarting dialogue between all peoples, whatever their religion or ‘colour’ or ‘persuasion’ or level of ‘wokeness’.

Sir, it is also a threat to the pluralism you wish all Americans to embrace.