SK, let me put it this way: I have no doubt that probably 90% of the people I’ve dealt with in life — and will deal with in the future — have thought or said things in private conversations that I (or others) would have found offensive. If we all tried to avoid those who have different opinions and beliefs than we do, we would all be hunkered down in single room cabins deep in the woods…far away from anybody else.
What someone thinks or says in a private conversation is their business. How they treat me is my business. How they treat others could certainly influence my feelings about them. But what they *think,* as long as those thoughts don’t manifest themselves in a way that can truly harm others, is entirely their business.
Is he a racist? Probably. Just the same as there are many sexists and misogynists out there. Do we have the right to control their thoughts or tell them what they must believe? No, absolutely not.
