Wow. This shook me to the core as a white person. Truth is, I’ve seen people pretend to be one thing, accepting and inclusive, but then they’ll spew hatred later, when it’s convenient for them. Depends on what makes them look cool at the moment. They want woke points, and also keep their racist laughs in too. What shakes me is the denial, which feels more like gas lighting. It seems to scream “yes, I’m racist, but I get dance with you so it’s all fine! It can’t be that bad.” It not only gives a false sense of safety, just when you let your guard down you’re dancing with racists, but pretends somehow it’s wrong to feel scared around people who may harm you. It’s also entitled, one minute they can laugh at your expense, another minute they can dance with you for fun. Objectifying. I’ve seen people do this with other marginalized groups, disabled people, LBGTA people, etc. As a white person, I often don’t always see the racism around me, and rely on authors like you to help me learn to identify it better in the world around me. Thank you. But wow, this story really shook me. Mostly that Annick has her idea of racism and how impacts others and pretty much gas-lightened you rather than listen have basic empathy to what you were going through. What a mind fuck🦆. Also, who wants to be friends with racists? Even if you are white, that’s not really the sort of person I feel safe with.