As a fellow South African, I almost accepted and wanted to validate your point of view (albeit different from mine) until... 'Would any white person walk in a black neighbourhood at night and live?'. You've disregarded your own advise to not point fingers, and accused all black people (purely because they are black) of wanting to harm you purely because you are white.

Here, thomasm you are also accusing your '... many good black friends...' of standing ready to end your life, should you dare walk at night. In just that line alone, you have snuffed out that little glimmer that you and I could possibly sympathize with one another and perhaps begin the long road to a collective existence.

Finally, please revisit your definition of friend. You've let them down as I point out above. And they have let you down by not challenging you enough to begin using respectful language about others.