To stand quietly by and do or say nothing implies agreement with or acceptance of the speakers statement. The closeted thoughts of the heart and mind come out of the mouth, most especially when the speaker feels comfortable with or superior to, their audience.

I have a cousin whose name is Sir. YES! His father named him Sir. So that no white man could ever disrespect him the way countless other Black man had been treated. To some that was going too far, but too others it proves just how deep seeded resentment was for black men being called "boy" "George" or any other term that didn't recognize them as MEN.

Great column, Mr. Martin!