"My encounters with racism are sort of second-hand situations where I might be standing around with a group of white friends and someone makes a comment that they wouldn't make at my family reunion"

In this quote, Wentworth Miller is explaining his experiences with racism. He describes that he has actually not directly dealt with racism himself, but rather has encountered it in a second-hand way. This means that he has actually experienced it taking place to others, rather than experiencing it firsthand. Miller offers an example of being with a group of white good friends and hearing a remark that would not be made at his own household reunion. This highlights the idea that bigotry can happen in subtle methods, even in relatively safe situations. Miller's words shed light on the reality that bigotry is still common in society and can manifest itself in numerous types.