The second I hear a color distinction in reference to people I tune into the conclusions being made.
I think it is perfectly fine to use the color of skin when trying to describe something or someone. It makes perfect sense, especially if it’s important information to have. For example, when reporting a crime and a witness has a description, skin color is simply relevant.
We have to be careful though, when we are trying to distort views. If we want to have a month dedicated to honoring people of color or a gender or anything like that, in order to preserve equality, folks need to leave that option opened to everyone in a free country. If you are okay with having a “Black History Month” we should be equally ok with having a Hispanic, Muslim or even a White history month. That’s what equality would look like. Right?
It would also make sense that, if we’re okay with a Latina Women or Black Women Business Conference, why wouldn’t it be okay with a White Women Conference?
Quite frankly, I am not okay with any of these. I think, as a nation, it’s time to think about what we are doing here… trying to solve problems of inequality in one area, by creating inequality in another. If we can only master this very simple concept and look at each person individually, racism and prejudices would truly be on its way out!
I’m afraid our nation is becoming obsessed with skin color and you would think we’d know better by now. I see problems everywhere. I can’t be the only one. I have three white children and I am now talking to them about not becoming prejudice in a world that is not making as much progress as we could be if we simply learned to keep the same standards for everyone and look at individuals as individuals.
I think telling accurate history is very important and I do think that stories of all the people that had a significant impact in history should be told accurately and in a color blind manner. I think accurately would include keeping the skin color of the people they are talking about or portraying looking like the people that the story is about. It’s just an inaccurate portrayal of a story when facts are distorted or withheld and that makes facts into fiction. It also gives excuses to people that just sit back and take parts or take credit where it isn’t due.
Why not just tell the story as accurately as we can? If the story is told on the big screen or on stage or written about somewhere, portray the characters accurately when possible. Now directors and producers are trying to “mix” things up even when it doesn’t make sense to. The best person qualified for a part or position doesn’t always happen and that is sad in a country that was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
Image: Excerpted from: CC0 Creative Commons; https://pixabay.com/en/books-encyclopedias-reading-925755/
