I wish people would realize that saying something is safe doesn't make something safe.

I mean, I've seriously lost count of the number of people who are adamant they're not racist who come out with something culturally insensitive and get really upset that someone politely points this out to them. Or who argue with a person of color over whether some seemingly innocuous interaction "deserves" to be part of the thousand papercuts that drives their anxiety.

Or guys who are sure they don't behave in a sexist manner who get really confused and upset when a woman refuses a drink they brought to her from the bar. They promise it's perfectly safe, as though that's definitely not a thing that someone with bad intentions would do.

Or the folk who think they're lgbt friendly because they believe in and vote for marriage equality who also ask so many questions about the details of lgbt people's lives because they're sooo curious and care so much that they don't realize that they're acting like they're in a zoo.

I don't blame any person of color for not trusting I won't say something racist, or any lgbt person for not trusting that I won't treat them as an exhibit, or even other women for not trusting that I won't side with Mr Nice Guy.

I don't blame them because I know my word cannot ever be enough.