I think the general points you make are very good and important, but I’m not sure this example is the best support for them. Maybe I’m clueless here, but I’d really like to reduce this to something very straightforward. One guy said something that another guy didn’t like. The second guy punched the first guy. A policeman, a bartender, or a friend goes up to the two of them and tells them to knock it off. They all shake hands, apologize and forget the whole thing. This happens thousands of times every day all over the world. Sometimes the puncher pays a fine or does community service. Sometimes the punchee forgives the puncher and they get drunk together. This interaction between Mr. Rock and Mr Smith is no more and no less of a big deal than any of the other times. it’s pretty standard procedure that when the punchee doesn’t want to press charges the whole affair is dropped. consequently, I don’t think Smith is getting a special break here because of his blackness, although I think you are right that this does happen sometimes.