Behind the Mask

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

I’ve seen a lot of debate over this sentiment, and its origin. I don’t think it excuses wrongdoing. Obviously people can and do treat others as inferior, but we aren’t obligated to feel inferior. It doesn’t define us. I can block a punch. It’s still wrong to take a swing at me. I think people on both sides of that debate struggle with the distinction.

I was born an American citizen abroad in West Germany. In kin...