a person can systematically say racist things but still not be a racist—and that there is a meaningful distinction between making racist statements and being a racist. This is a dichotomy reserved for behavior that society claims to condemn but in fact tolerates, behavior that may not sully the actor’s reputation. One cannot steal and not be a thief, commit murder but not be a murderer, drive drunk and not be a drunk driver—but one can establish a pattern of racist statements over decades and still not be a racist.
