It Isn't About Being Color Blind

On another blog a topic came up that I just had to give my opinion on: race! From that conversation spurred this little comment from me, which I am now saving here. I hope it gives a new perspective.
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I think the people from the previous comments who talk about seeing beyond race and question why you [TBGiHM] are focusing on race don't appreciate the importance of this issue.

There was a poster that said, "we all breath the same air and bleed red so get with the times." And to me this is a prime example of such ignorance. This opinion is not with the times. It is a rose-colored tunnel vision of what a lot of people- black, white, yellow, etc.- would like to see. The actual times is a world where race is still a big deal. And in addition to that, denouncing someone's race (things like, "oh, I don't care that you are/ don't think of you as black/white/asian/insertethnicity.") can be just as insulting. Some people do want to be seen as black or Korean. They want this because they value their culture and heritage and want it recognized. It's a matter of, "Why yes I am a black woman and I do want you to think of me that way." People, it is not a matter of being color blind or saying that "we're all human," it is a matter of realizing our differences and accepting them as they are without discrimination. If we can just embrace that and acknowledge that we are different but still treat each other with respect, we'll be one step closer to that peace so many are looking for.

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For the curious, the blog in question is called The Black Girl into Heavy Metal. While the author and I don't always see eye to eye and we are both relatively young, I do feel our messages are important and need to get out there in more forms. If you are curious about other perspectives from the minorities into alternative music, check out the Afropunk Movement and it's message board.

Comment by gaby on April 12, 2009 at 3:47pm: that's a good point. it is about accepting that people are different and not ignoring the fact that they are.

Comment by Tala Boudica on April 14, 2009 at 12:49am: LOL, summing up my message in one sentence, good on you! :D

Comment by Kobalos on April 20, 2009 at 12:58am: :D I'm gonna bite. 'Cause I have a different perspective, yet I can see what you're getting at.

My view is, that whatever label someone or yourself attach often gets taken wrong. Most ppl do not fit what ppl expect from the label - and each person has their own ideas as to what a particular label means.

This makes it very difficult at times to get across who you really are. It takes more than someone accepting me from a general label I might use. It's getting to know more of me and how much weight I place on different aspects of my place in life. The label is a convient start at times, but I haven't found many that really fit me. :D

Culture, heritage and language are fluid, changing things - a rich tapestry from the past to the present. But I don't really like to be associated too deeply with mine 'cause I'm only one person from now and if people viewed me from their stereotypes of my people, culture or heritage they'd be wildly wrong to do so.

However, I agree with the basic point - it is about accepting people for who they are and not ignoring important aspects of difference

Comment by Segadoway on June 7, 2009 at 6:53pm: +1 to Skip.
Also my view of things is different but i am too busy to explain

Comment by Raine on June 8, 2009 at 4:07am: Well said.

Historically, most places that claim the strongest to have been 'color-blind' have been the most racist. The Twilight Years of France come to mind most prominently. Anyways, you are very right. It isn't supposed to be about ignorance, it is supposed to be about acceptance.

Comment by Erica on June 22, 2009 at 10:52pm: Generalizing and categorizing has gotten us even farther away from this idealized, favorable, desired peace that many like to envision. Most would think it ethical to realize this fact and move forward. Unfortunately, this is rarely a case of tenderness and postulates the somewhat overstated saying that "it's easier said than done".

Personally, I feel that humans are the physical representation, the epitome, of double standards and no matter the number of refusals that exist that contend or support the aforemantioned ideas, there will always be those waiting to counter. While I do believe there needs to exist a respectable understanding of sorts between humans and their differences, we cannot forget that by categorizing and generalizing we are inviting discrimination. It is a logical step by men and it is the paramount way that we've come to comprehend so many things.

Therefore, I can only, simply say that in order for there to be mass appreciation and recognization of the differences in humans, we would have to discard all patterns and forms synonymous with categorizing or generalization. They would be replaced with acceptance. Not ignorance. Sounds simple. But since when have humans ever done things the simple way? Like I said, it's easier than done.

Comment by Tala Boudica on July 30, 2009 at 2:47pm: A minority of people may have, but to believe that people in general did is an ignorant generalization and insult. Besides that your political agenda really has nothing to do with my blog post.

Comment by bbqpanties on August 5, 2009 at 2:29am: Ah, afropunk.com. I love that site. I understand what you say. I grew up in a town of 500 people, who all thought that everyone of other races pretty much lived up to their respective stereotypes. They all thought that black people only wore baggy clothes, were into hip-hop, and stole TVs.. or every Asian was really smart in math and computers, or every Mexican liked to take siestas. Etc., etc. Now.... I am proud to be white. And I'm sure that there are lots of stereotypes about us too. But white people seem to be the most ignorant (and maybe the most arrogant too) people. Sorry, I went on a rant again.

Comment by Tala Boudica on August 5, 2009 at 11:33am: Lol! I suppose it's an experience thing, I personally find all races to have a fairly equal amount of racism and ignorance spread throughout. I've known quite a few blacks to be more ignorant than whites can be stereotyped as- and what's worse is it's not usually recognized for the racism it is. =/ (AKA acceptable racism) If I actually had experience with Hispanics/Asians/Middle Easterners I could probably quite easily find some very racist impressions. Circumstance. =/ Also, I think it's cool that you're proud to be white; I think everyone should be proud of who they are and where they come from- the good and the bad. Just as long as that pride doesn't turn into a hate of the dissimilar, there's nothing wrong with it.

Comment by Claytonius "XyzBoBz" Maximus on March 18, 2010 at 10:58am: i enjoy my work coz weve got an African guy, a South American guy, some Indian dudes, another guy thats from here but his parents r Maltese, a chic whos even whiter than me and myself: a mixture of everything white ^_^

its mostly me that makes jokes about everything lol but the other guys join in n its good fun making really bad jokes about eachother n talking about eachothers culture :)

actually i think im the one with the least culture because im a 4th generation Australian n dont have any connection 2 my heritage.. but hey, when u dont have traditions, make new ones :D

this is a really good topic Tala :) good work!