In Francis Wilkinson’s Aug. 31 commentary in the Maine Sunday Telegram, “Racism is real,” Mr. Wilkinson states that “conversation … requires shared predicates and vocabulary.”

He gives three potential topics of conversation: racism, global warming and government spending. In each example, he concludes that if you don’t agree with his opinions, conversation cannot occur.

My dictionary defines “conversation” as “a spoken exchange of thoughts, opinions and feelings.” Apparently, Mr. Wilkinson doesn’t want to hear any opinions other than his own.

Mr. Wilkinson doesn’t really want a conversation. He wants to lecture us on how we need to agree with him.

John Lantz

Harmony