Excellent as usual Steve. I differ where you say " Racism persists because examining our beliefs takes more effort than affirming them. It persists because fear comes more easily than understanding. It persists because judging the colour of a person’s skin is quicker than determining the content of their character." Isn't it more true that racism persists because those who rule us reinforce it every day with racist messaging in all their media? Of course, it doesn't help that people who consider themselves "anti-racists" are so clueless in the way they address it, as you point out.