Holder later denied making a race reference, saying he was only referring to the decline in civility. True, Holder didn’t say anything specifically racial — he’s far too smart for that — but aren’t we too smart to believe race isn’t what he meant? Inference isn’t a science, but the preponderance of evidence (the involvement of Sharpton; a largely African American audience; the mention only of two black leaders, and not leadership in general, suffering incivility) suggests that only a fig would miss his point.

Do some Americans dislike Holder and/or Obama because they’re African American? Undoubtedly. Does this explain why the president and the attorney general have been criticized? No. Could it have something to do with dissatisfaction in the direction they’re taking the country? Most certainly.

Holder cannot pretend that his conduct in the attorney general’s office is in question only on account of his skin tone. In a provocative observation, Brit Hume of Fox News remarked that, contrarily, Obama and Holder have been given a pass precisely because they are African American. Indeed, Obama said something similar not long ago, noting that no doubt some people dislike him because he’s black and, equally plausible, some give him a pass because he’s black.