"Black people are people. Black people have always been people. That’s all there ever was to understand."

Well done Steve. Beyond true.

But if I say this kind of statement it does not come off. I am from Zambia. I am from a few thousand miles southwest of where Lucy was discovered, but I can not say this because I would be accused of being patronizing, of speaking from white privilege, of somehow trivializing the injustices suffered by African Americans. Why? Because I am white. ( am I permitted to capitalize the 'W' or would that be privileged ?)

I have been pasted on Medium before for attempting to say such things, ( though my ramblings are no where near as eloquent as your words).

I believe your sentiments. I applaud your voice. I thank you for alerting me to the TED talk by white Mike.

All voices should speak toward equality, it SHOULD NOT matter what the orator's color, gender association, or cultural identification happens to be.

I agree... people are people, that's all there is to understand.