I'm sorry you get such rude comments. However, to me, they're an indication that you're doing something right. You're challenging the prevailing narrative. You're making people uncomfortable. Good! They need to be uncomfortable.

Although I haven't taken a poll of your comments and of those who comment negatively, I can guess that those vile comments come from people that hold racist views. They don't want to be challenged. They don't want the system challenged. They like things just as they are, them "on top". They're terrified of a world where racisim doesn't exist because it wouldn't benefit them as far as their tiny minds can figure. In psychology, there's a principle called "extinguishment." It's describes the phenomenon in which negative behaviour increases before it ends. Like a toddler that throws a tanntrum, just before they give up and go to sleep, they really turn it on. That's bascally what these commenters are doing. Tehy see the writing on the wall. They see that we will no longer "stay in our place," that we will speak up, that we will command and demand the respect we deserve as human beings. They see that we refuse to stay silent about our trauma. They don't like it. Too bad.

Plase never let the comments stop you. Your voice is so, so important to our community. You don't have to respond, they're not worth it anyway. Hell, you don't even have to read the comments. Take care of yourself first, of course.

As for trying to explain this to your daughter. I really have no clue what you could say. I had the same question as a kid, being mixed race myself. All my father could say is "sometimes, people really suck." That was all he had.

As always, loved your article.