Are you listening?

In a provocative Sept. 19 discussion with Fox News contributor Juan Williams, Bill O'Reilly shared details about his recent dinner date with civil rights leader Al Sharpton in Harlem. Recounting his experience at the restaurant Sylvia's, O'Reilly told Williams how he "could not get over" the fact that there was no difference "between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City." Despite the fact that the restaurant was black-owned and served mostly black patrons, O'Reilly was amazed that he was actually able to eat his meal without being attacked or called a cracker. He even managed to get through Harlem after dinner without getting mugged.

As a self-proclaimed spokesman for white America, O'Reilly was proud to report to his black colleague Williams that, all in all, he had a "great time" and that the black residents of Harlem were "tremendously respectful." After making these comments, O'Reilly and Williams continued their larger conversation on how to confront white uneasiness with all things black, and the show went on without a hitch. As he went to bed that night, O'Reilly honestly believed that he had successfully advanced America's conversation on the topic of race.

Unfortunately, many blacks did not wholeheartedly embrace O'Reilly's remarks as swiftly as he expected. Always looking to sensationalize a story, numerous media organizations chose to air partial audio snippets of the O'Reilly/Williams conversation without providing any context. O'Reilly, who has repeatedly stumbled when discussing race issues, appeared to have fallen down the stairs in his attempt to paint a rosy, colorblind country that white Americans had only failed to see.

O'Reilly was immediately blasted by almost every respectable liberal journalist for his seemingly racist comments, and has since scrambled to fire back at the "far-left" loonies determined to smear the face of Fox News. He declared that Darth Soros had converted CNN and MSNBC to "the dark side" with Media Matters, Darth Moyers, and others. O'Reilly complained that feeble-minded blacks were unable to see how the far-left had once again exploited them for political gain. Ultimately, O'Reilly believed that blacks were the true victims, because whites were going to be more afraid than ever to utter any opinions on race outside a private setting, where only whites are present.

Any one using an individual as a reflection of any racial group's thinking has to include a huge disclaimer before they engage, but O'Reilly's comments, inarticulate as they were, do mirror an unspoken fear that is very real in white America. When Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) complimented Barack Obama for being "clean" and "articulate," he was scrutinized much in the same way that Don Imus was for his infamous "nappy-head hoes" comment. One remark was a botched compliment like O'Reilly's, and one was intentionally racist. When this fact is clear, what is a white person to do? I would probably refrain from race talk with nonwhites except in cases where I have established a firm sense of comfort with them. Even then, though, I would be cautious.

This strand of thought could have a wide-ranging effect, and not just on whites. I come from a volatile Los Angeles neighborhood where racial tension is prevalent between blacks and Latinos. When I arrived at Princeton, the behavior of some minorities when it came to discussing race was a little puzzling. I wondered: If you grew up in majority white neighborhoods or schools, were you conditioned to regard race as a taboo topic that is not to be discussed, especially around whites?

If such a collective paralysis exists, we are not likely to fully explore questions pertinent to the continued progress of the University. Because if we're not discussing race then we are probably not discussing class either, so we will not be asking why so few Pell Grant recipients make it to Princeton. Or why four out of ten Princeton students graduate without studying a region other than the United States or Europe. We definitely will not be asking why a fair number of minority students feel uncomfortable stepping into Cottage Club.

Of course, these tantalizing topics will continue to be quietly discussed in Princeton's dark corners, and that is a good thing. But if we want to expand this discussion beyond closed doors, every view has to be respected, even if it lacks refinement. When those with the testicular fortitude to express themselves stumble, we have to give them an extra moment to explain their reasoning. When your friend develops a lump in her throat while explaining her support for a wall along the border, help her. Take them seriously. Listen. David Smart is a history major from Los Angeles, Calif. He can be reached at dsmart@princeton.edu.