Thank you, Joel. I appreciate your insight here and am about to follow you to get more of your insights, too.

I am a half-Jewish woman who is the daughter of a disabled disability rights advocate and step-daughter of a disabled disability rights advocate. A large part of my childhood was spent on the verge of poverty with my single mom who has French-Canadian roots and spoke French in Rhode Island as her first language.

Identifying with otherness is something I relate to, but I haven't brought it up. The thing is, like you, I know that this otherness is different than being Black in America. This otherness is not going to lead to police profiling me for my skin color.

I'm glad I have the experience of otherness though because it has allowed me to develop empathy. And, empathy seems to be something that is lacking as a cultural more (sociological use) here in America these days.

Let's keep having these honest conversations. Thank you for opening up the dialogue.