It is loaded and bloated isn’t it?! That’s why I had to give it some thought. When I read that line in the essay by bell hooks, I thought how is that possible? Why did she name her home as that place? Why didn’t she name other spaces with Black people? Why is it that she wants that place away from race? And how do you have artwork, mirrors, and books in your home and not have race in your home?! From what I gather she guards her spaces to include her mind. Race is a construct but people don’t talk about the type of construct it is. If we describe it as the evil eye or a stalker, then it is different from time. So, yes, I’ve come to realize that race itself is a problem, 100%. Essentially, we use the word race like it refers to features or ancestry which is inaccurate and a misuse of the word. So basically, we still use racist terms while claiming to be pre-racial or some time period when the best definition of race is features and ancestry. The logic and the language are middling and nonsensical. However, I believe we must maintain it for justice. It is very tricky. But that’s the good use of race, to use it for justice. An antiracist has to be anti the idea of race because the words go together. I’m most concerned about justice so that’s why I insist we hold the idea as one piece of evidence. It is a mess.