I do believe that there are African Americans who have thick accents. My mom has a thick accent; my relatives have thick accents. But sometimes you have to adjust when you go into the world of film, TV, theatre, in order to make it accessible to people.
I don't think you should meet the people you most admire. I don't want reality to interfere with my image.
It is cycling as a professional sport that represents the problem. It can transform someone into a liar.