> Once someone starts talking about “culture” though they're usually veering
  > toward some really vicious stereotypes and wink-nudge fig leafs that help
  > people hold & promote racist attitudes without thinking of themselves as racist.

I would like to understand what you're talking about. Do you think that some people use culture as a proxy for race? Do you agree or disagree that different cultures have different values? Do you agree or disagree that culture is very closely associated by race?

To be clear, my original comment did not address any of this. I was seriously discussing culture, not race. But I think that I have something to learn from someone who takes such a stance as you have written, so I don't mind if the subject drifts a bit OT.