Hi - I think it may also depend on your relationship/friendship. If you routinely ask people how they are doing, as Cate does, then yes, make a point of asking about major racial events. If you routinely do not ask how friends are doing because that's not your style, then it may be okay not to ask. Rebecca Stevens A. is saying, Please ask her, if you are her friend. Other writers have said, don't ignore me until something happens, and then be like, who is my black friend - oh hey, how are you doing? These things are personality dependent, but the point is to recognize that your friend may be hurting, and do what feels right within that friendship to help.