I do just have to tell you quickly though, about my first day ever in committee. I walked in fairly self conscious and saw a space to my right, a row between white males and feeling a sense of being pigeon holed, I quickly sat in the space on my left, not realizing the seating protocol, I was right in the middle of the majority party. As they jumped away on either side of me, I realized that my white face was not just a disadvantage, but an offense. In that moment of rejection, I understood something very important, hateful angry words and actions, often aimed in my direction, came from a place where open wounds, rejection and deep hurts were buried.