Like it or not, the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin story has triggered a national conversation about race. President Obama waded into the controversy with much-hyped remarks on the incident July 19, which provoked a harsh reaction from some conservatives. I’m inclined to agree with the Daily Beast’s Kirsten Powers that this reaction is indicative of why Republican outreach efforts to minority groups are unlikely to succeed.

The problem, I think, is not widespread racism, but enough examples of racial insensitivity to create the impression that conservatives don’t care about the African American community.