I think there is a LOT of value to your argument: words carry incredible weight. We'll heal faster from a fat lip than we will from a nasty insult.

But I have to agree with Greg Johnson on this one.

Kareem was a basketball player for only a relatively small portion of his life. Otherwise, he is a respected businessman, political activist, and strong American Black role-model. Which is to say that, in this discussion, he knows exactly what he's talking about.

When an entire group of people is fighting to be respected by another, even the slightest misstep invites a disproportionate reaction. The actions of one person can be - and often are - used against an entire group - especially when it's such a public display.

It doesn't matter that Will Smith has kept his cool his whole life. It only matters - to those who are just sitting back waiting for an excuse to be right - that he proved their point. In this case, people who hold racist beliefs against Black people can now sit back, confident in their stance that Black people are more prone to violence.

You can call it whatever you want. (I disagree with your application of the term 'virtue signalling' here.) But know that there are people whose racist beliefs are now that much stronger because Will Smith lost his cool - justified as I agree his outrage was. It's not okay. But it's how it works.

Underdogs - Blacks, women, gays, ... - cannot afford to slip up. Not even once. Not while the stakes are this high.

The world sees my kids as Black. We taught them this. Yes, it stinks. But the only way to change it is from within. They are ambassadors for their race. There is no moral high ground here. It's not fair, and it's not their fault.

But it is their legacy. Their responsibility to teach people how to treat them. It is an incredible burden to bear. Unfortunately.