Growing up in Washington DC in the 50s and 60s, there were instances of overt racism that my family experienced (e.g. having to sit in the balcony to see Forbidden Planet with my dad, the sci-fi geek, and brother). But there weren't that many because back then, DC was a predominantly Black town (aka Chocolate City) and my neighborhood and schools were predominantly Black, thanks to the white flight to the suburbs back then. It wasn't until I started attending Georgetown U and later as a Federal government employee that it was more in my face as an adult. In the government, it was more subtle, but definitely there.

I figure there's such a thing as a pragmatic fantasy where you follow your heart but still keep the pragmatic issues in mind as you move forward. It's definitely doable, but I also get the worry part (probably my middle name if I had one).