A national discussion about race “around water coolers”?

Must agree with the Volokh commenters. Obama, like many others, has no desire for a truthful, honest discussion about race or race relations. There are only a very few and painfully proscribed acceptable notions about race that can be aired: non-white suffering is the result of white mistreatment, and the path out requires more white sacrifice. Period. If you were to even dip your toes lightly into such sentiments as “well, maybe blacks bear some responsibility for their state,” blam, you’ll never see a quicker firing or faster-filed lawsuit. And imagine the fate of a white employee who offers that “The Bell Curve” might explain some racial differences.