Page 2 of comments on Okay, So You're Colour Blind -- But That Don't Impress Me Much

» left by David Pekrul

3 years 13 days ago.
70 fans.

I appreciate and respect your comments, as I respect you. I do think, however, that you are reading too much into my expression of "colour blind". I never intended it to mean being invisible and not noticing people. In fact, I often have discussions with people of other races and cultures. I love to ask them questions about their lives and find they are very open to discussion when they realize that I am sincere and indeed interested.

 

A couple years ago I had a very interesting conversation with an Amish man and only a couple weeks ago had a great conversation with a Hudderite man. Then there was the Vietamese man I talked to a couple days ago. I love to discuss the differences, but without prejudice. Perhaps I should have used the term "celebrating our differences".

 

When my young son first met my friend from Guyana, he asked him why he was so dark. Yes, he noticed the difference. It would be more racist if he did not.

 

So hopefully you understand what I meant by 'colour blind'. I meant it in the most positive way that I could.

 

I'm sure I would love to sit down with you and ask questions about the different African cultures. The world is such an interesting place and there is so much to learn.

 

Blessings,

 

David

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» left by Yangki Christine Akiteng 3 years 12 days ago.
104 fans.

Hi David, I appreciate and respect you and your writing too. 

 

These have always been my views and have nothing to do with your article.  During the USA 2008 elections, I wrote an article “Barack Obama Dialed My Number and I’m Not Even an American” -- my views have not changed. But like everyone here, you see another article and it inspires you to write one of your own. I’ve seen whole sentences lifted from my articles or comments (immediately following my article or comment) and used in other articles -- sometimes as titles in another article.  In some cases the way the sentence or phrase is used is not how I meant it when I used it, still it makes me happy that I inspired someone else to put their own views and thoughts down.  That you inspired me to write the article is more to your credit than it takes away from the article you wrote.

 

The use of the word “colour blind” or children as examples of colour blindness is nothing new.  You probably better than most know that in Canada “I am colour blind” is the most used word when race comes up.  The reality though is that Canada has just the same race tensions as anywhere else (if not more).  Canada’s is just more subtle. I sometimes tell my Canadian friends, I’d rather have someone call me a *Nigger* in my face, than have them treat me like I am not even there --or pat me on the head like some cuddly ape without a brain.

 

I’m yet to meet someone (that includes me) who if they are honest enough hasn’t been biased or prejudiced knowingly or unintentionally. It’s upon each of us to look inside and actually do something about race -- and not just pretend “I don’t have that problem, I don’t have to do anything about it”.  When one person is hurt by racism or prejudice, we all hurt, the whole world hurts!

 

Let’s start the conversation -- in an open, frank, respectful and meaningful way -- and spare our great grandchildren and their children from having to repeat the words “Let's put this race thing behind us" hundreds of years from now.

 

Your comment tells me you’re already having “the conversation”, let’s keep it up…  :-) Searchwarp is a VERY good place to start since most of us appreciate and respect each other already! 

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