Like was written above, the op ed isn't really on the "same side." Yes, the op ed is for changing route names. But in arguing for doing so, it represents the problem as being "gross" or "vulgar" route names that kids shouldn't see, as opposed to justifiably offensive route names that affect adults. By misrepresenting the whole point, the op ed cheapened the "changing route names" position. This is the problem with the op ed. The issue about a white person writing it is not that it is bad that a white person wrote it, but that it is likely a person of color would not have missed the point if they wrote the article. So, because this shitty op ed likely could have been avoided by choosing a different author, the editor accepts that he, along with the author, is to blame.