I grew up against a background of casual racism. It was a background heartbeat, a constant ostinato - so socially normalized that it was practically imperceptible. And while I never felt like I was actively part of the problem, I definitely wasn't an active part of the solution. I think of the jokes that shouldn’t have been laughed at, but were - or the off-handed comments that were ignored, instead of challenged. And I recognize a complacency - a blithe ignorance.

"Black and Blue" is about Tyre Nichols, about the color of bruises, and about the stains that can't be washed out.