
Behind the Color Blind By Nordette Adams You say you see no color. I say you're full of it I hope when you look at me you see black a little bit, for when you say you see me how can that really be when part of who I am is my ethnicity? I like my hair, my skin tone, I like my heritage; It influences my art enriches how I live. I like your hair and color and even your eyes too, one of my favorite hues is that lovely shade of blue. But I wouldn't want to be you, I like myself just fine, and don't want you to be me; we'll both get there in time. I know you like Scott Joplin, and I love a Bernstein score, I love good gumbo and pot pies, one flavor'd be a bore. When we escape these bodies, and meet at heaven's gate, then we can say no color, We'll have nothing to debate. We'll be at peace in truth, and understand all things, but until then let's be real... Enjoy what difference brings! And until that day in glory when we are truly one, let's love ourselves in color, not pretend that we see none. Consider what it means, to love without condition, it means to see all sides of me, yet love is your decision. To be high but lay down low, and love beyond yourself is the best way to love others, and have spiritual wealth. But to claim you see no color, and smile like all is fine is to say you don't see wholely and if so, we see you're blind.
for more reading http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2001/01/08/focus4.html
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=colorblind%20racism
http://oser.state.wi.us/pgsub_detail_print.asp?linksubcat2id=219&linksubcatid=847&linkcatid=352&linkid=
http://2xconsciousness.blogspot.com/2008/07/color-blind-racism.html
http://www.aamovement.net/viewpoints/2008/colorblind3.html
 | This is good, says it well! |
 | Wow! This poem really expalins it well. Excellent posts. |
 | Let the congregation say AMEN! |
 | this is wonderfully written |
 | I like poems and its nice. |
 | smudge77 wrote on Nov 14, '08, edited on Nov 14, '08 I agree...
I wish I could explain it in my own words, but can't...so was glad to find this poem on another blog...
you see, I'm 'white' and was raised with black people [in church and school] and always thought 'colour blind' was good... but then one day it hit me what it's actually saying... so sorry to all the black people I have patronised in the past, and actually insulted...
I know me and others [well some others], didn't mean to...but it's part of having to look deeper in ourselves about attitudes, and the white privilege we have had [even without realising]
thanks shearoc [and others], for being patient |
 | I saw an interesting letter to an Editor from someone who found it disrespectful that Barack Obama was being called a black President. The person writing thought it was totally ignoring and downplaying the importance of the white half of his family, i.e. his mother and maternal side, in making him what he is. |
 | well that comes out in his understanding other cultures I guess, but that's internal...even though it's useful
the denying of his external 'blackness' and his inner understanding of black culture and prejudice against blacks, from actual experience, is downplayed by some and it concerns me about 'why' they feel they have to do it... is it SO hard to accept a black President that this has to be denied. |
 | I think he's saying he wants the job because of his ability to do it and not because of his colour. He has led a charmed life and used his intelligence to get on, so I suspect his understanding of black culture and prejudice against blacks is actually less than people would hope. |
 | Yes, but I doubt he's sympathetic towards pople who don't do as he did. You'll have to see the rest of my competition article, which I think has got down to the nitty gritty of it all. |
 | I wonder why many times i cannot see your latest entries on your home page until about about 2 weeks |
 | Thank you for sharing this...
Kenny. |
 | lawo wrote on Nov 26, '08 |
 | Oh, I'm LOVING this poem and I might have to steal it!
I've been saying for YEARS that all of this so- called "color blindness" is nothing more than the easy way out without having to deal with the fact that racism exists or face up to the fact that they themselves are racist. It's a great system for white people, and a pretty shitty one for everyone else.
This ostrich's-head-in-the-sand style of thinking robs people of color of their very real experiences with racial prejudice and also works to silence their voices. I've never bought into "color blindness"...
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 | smudge77 wrote on Jan 11, '09, edited on Jan 11, '09 It's a great system for white people, and a pretty shitty one for everyone else.  for 'some' white people
[sorry, am getting very tired of racism against whites, lately, and will not ignore it any more]. |
 | illseed83 wrote on Jan 12, '09, edited on Jan 12, '09 Your comment has merit; I'll give you that.Over-generalizing is over generalizing. But let's be real- the majority of people who use the "Color Blind" system are- at least from all of my personal experiences- white people. This isn't racism or an "attack" on white people, just an observation as this very poem is.... |
 | smudge77 wrote on Jan 12, '09, edited on Jan 12, '09 But let's be real- the majority of people who use the "Color Blind" system are- at least from all of my personal experiences- white people.  I agree
I only objected to the generalisation [as it's not all white people], and never has been...it's not to do with the colour, but the heart.... no more than is it all black people who do 'this that and the other']
thank you |
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Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence. -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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