What would a thoughtful discussion about this particular story look like?
What you're advocating for here in terms of policing the type of discussion and the types of people that can contribute to the discussion here (based on your assumptions about their personal experiences) is incredibly Orwellian. Obviously this is a private forum and you can do whatever you want but, seriously what you're saying is a bit absurd.
Also FWIW (not much to me, but probably a lot to you) I have personally experienced racism many times in my life.
I'm not sure, but FWIW here's what I think. A thoughtful discussion would involve suspending pre-existing political positions (or at least trying to), carefully avoiding weaponized rhetoric that mostly just stirs up pre-existing emotions for and against, and then reacting to something specific rather than something generic in the article or the comments.
For example, you could respond with some of your own experiences and how they have been similar or different. Your comment suggests that that would be interesting--especially if you would do so in a way that is respectful of others (e.g. others you disagree with) rather than judging them, because that tends to evoke more respectful and substantive responses.
(Btw I replied to this before you added the second paragraph. I don't think I'm being Orwellian, but I guess no Orwellian would.)
What you're advocating for here in terms of policing the type of discussion and the types of people that can contribute to the discussion here (based on your assumptions about their personal experiences) is incredibly Orwellian. Obviously this is a private forum and you can do whatever you want but, seriously what you're saying is a bit absurd.
Also FWIW (not much to me, but probably a lot to you) I have personally experienced racism many times in my life.