You know how people say “it’s funny because it’s true”? The same thing applies here. It’s interesting to you because you know what he’s saying is true. As a white guy you felt guilty for using the term “owner” and he, as a black man, is basically laughing at you and the others that somehow think you’re doing right by the black race by not using a word (that has some racial component in only the smallest sliver of the words history) when in its proper context is a completely innocent word.
You aren’t being as noble as you seem to think you are by undertaking this policy because it’s not making up for any mistreatment of the African American race that at one point was treated as chattel in this country. I would call it a meaningless gesture, but it actually does have meaning, but unfortunately for you not that meaning you are going for. Instead you are bastardizing the English language by assigning the improper meaning to the word “owner” in this context.
No disrespect intended because by all accounts I believe you to be a good guy. I just think you’re trying way too hard to be one here, and it actually makes you look worse. Just my honest opinion.