[jgerrish]

I try not to get involved in these kinds of discussions. But you lobbed this out there, so I feel like this community can benefit from a personal story.

I'm not white. I'm human. Or just: I am.

I had an Indian friend growing up. Wonderful man. One of the few in our predominantly white township.

His parents owned a hotel.

And they inspired a desire for education and learning in him.

I ran into him in the university town of one of the top state universities one day after being rejected myself. It was awkward, but it also made me happy.

I recognize there are maybe cultural differences with strict parenting styles. But regardless, that hotel gave his parents a space to raise a damn nice kid who made something of himself.