@Justin,
Alex King, welcome! I also have no formal philosophy education, and am only about a month old (on the forum). Yes, it is scary when you first start, but I assure you the members here are interested in what you think and say so jump in the water is fine.
Quetion: is your forum name randomly connected with Dr. King (as today is his holiday)or is it something more?
If he was alive today what do you think he would say about race and equality?