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Amy-Strange

(854 posts)
Mon Jun 8, 2020, 02:22 PM Jun 2020

Why You Should Stop Saying "I Don't See Color"

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Am I your only black friend? Before you answer, let me add to the question. I don’t mean George from accounting who knows all the ins and outs of last week’s game. I don’t mean the security guard you wave to every morning on your way into work. I mean, do you call them to have lunch? To complain about your kids, your spouse, your boss? Have they been personally and specifically invited to your home?

The problem with well-meaning

I have a lot of white friends, and during the past week a number have reached out to me to see how I am doing. I am conflicted about this. On the one hand, I deeply appreciate that they are thinking of me and my children and how we are reacting in this debilitating time of social unrest. But to be honest, what I would like them to do is reach out to their other friends. Specifically, their white friends. Because right now I need white people to speak to one another. I am wrestling with my own issues at this time; I cannot carry the burden of yours.

How do I feel? Tired. Worried. Anxious. You know what I am not? Surprised. None of my black friends are surprised. The possibility of this type of violence is not surprising to us. We may choose not to speak to you about it because you haven’t ever asked.

Well-meaning people say a lot of well-meaning things. “I can’t imagine how you feel” is right there at the top of the list. Have you tried? I’m asking because I know I don’t need to be Jewish to be distraught and outraged about anti-Semitism. And I know I don't need to be gay to be disgusted and terrified by homophobia. So why is it so difficult for you to even imagine what it feels like to be black? This is just one reason why Black History Month shouldn't be a single month.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/voices/why-you-should-stop-saying-i-dont-see-color/ar-BB155VBI?ocid=spartandhpBB155VBI?ocid=spartandhp
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COMMENT: I'm not sure I agree with all of this, but it does make some interesting points
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6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Why You Should Stop Saying "I Don't See Color" (Original Post) Amy-Strange Jun 2020 OP
The link does not work. eom guillaumeb Jun 2020 #1
I fixed it... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #3
I think it's still okay for people suffering from achromatopsia. Make7 Jun 2020 #2
Thank you... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #4
Even in the days of only black-and-white TV Cirque du So-What Jun 2020 #5
Did you know that black is not really a color, but... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #6

Amy-Strange

(854 posts)
3. I fixed it...
Mon Jun 8, 2020, 02:38 PM
Jun 2020

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For some stupid reason my computer added quotation marks and made the whole link unusable, but I fixed it, and thank you.
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Cirque du So-What

(25,944 posts)
5. Even in the days of only black-and-white TV
Mon Jun 8, 2020, 03:00 PM
Jun 2020

I could tell the difference between Jack Benny and Rochester.

Amy-Strange

(854 posts)
6. Did you know that black is not really a color, but...
Mon Jun 8, 2020, 03:46 PM
Jun 2020

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a lack of color, while white is the result of ALL colors mixed together:

Are Black and White Colors?

https://www.britannica.com/story/are-black-and-white-colors

If color is solely the way physics describes it, the visible spectrum of light waves, then black and white are outcasts and don’t count as true, physical colors. Colors like white and pink are not present in the spectrum because they are the result of our eyes’ mixing wavelengths of light.
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