Read Barack Obama's "Dreams From My Father", and you will understand what he is talking about. His grandmother asked his grandfather for a ride to work. Something was bothering her. She explained a panhandler had bothered her, thats all. His Grandfather was upset with his Grandmother, didnt want to give her a ride. Obama couldnt understand what the big deal was. He offered to give her a ride. Then Obama's grandfather told him the truth, "She's been bothered by men before. You know why she's so scared this time? Before you came in, she told me the fella was black...thats the real reason she was bothered, and I dont think thats right." (pg. 88) Obama's response, "The words were like a fist to my stomach, and I wobbled to regain my composure. In my steadiest voice, I told him that such an attitude bothered me, too. but assured him that Toot's fears would pass and that we should give her a ride in the meantime. Gramps slumped into a chair in the living room and said he was sorry he told me. Before my eyes, he grew small and old and very sad. I put my hand on his shoulder and told him that it was all right, I understood. We remained like that for several minutes, in painful silence... After they left, I sat on the edge of my bed and thought about my grandparents. They had poured all their lingering hopes into my success. Never had they given me reason to doubt their love; I doubted if they ever would. And yet I knew that men who might easily have been my brothers could still inspire their rawest fears." (page 89). I hope this puts his comment into ontext. He is referring to a jarring incident in his family. But there is still much love there. And he is right to say that we as a country need to start having an adult conversation about this.