DEAR HARRIETTE: I consider myself to be very pro-Black and pro-Black advancement. One of the ways I try to show my investment in my community is by buying and shopping Black. I specifically enjoy going to Black-owned establishments like bars and restaurants. I have a friend who sees this as an inconvenience and does not understand the importance of shopping Black. They say they have had negative experiences at Black-owned establishments when it comes to the quality of service. I feel like we are conditioned to be more sensitive to the shortcomings of some Black-owned businesses when we also have negative experiences at other restaurants that do not receive the same criticism. I’m not sure how to politely disagree on a topic that is so important to me. Do you have any tips for having difficult conversations about important topics like this? – Buy Black DEAR BUY BLACK: I understand your perspective – and your friend’s. First, historically, it has been the practice of various ethnic groups to circulate at least some of their dollars within their community. Look at the Chinatowns of the country as well as Jewish, Indian and Italian communities as examples. By consciously spending money within your community, you help to fortify it. That doesn’t mean that you have to support every business, especially if some offer poor service, but if you consider a business to be “part of the family,” you may also want to say something to the proprietor about upping the service. If you take a stake in the business, you may help it to flourish.