All About Colors
March 31, 2008
Regardless of your partisanship
the speech given by Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama on the
subject of race likely must be considered as perhaps the best expository
on the subject in our age.
His comparisons of the
experiences of both blacks and whites although markedly different were
likewise remarkably parallel in the manner in which established themes
came to be passed down for generations. Those segregating notions
that pitted one group of have-nots against another obviously continue to
persist.
The black community, denied
opportunity and access for so long is gaining improvements, all to the
frustration of the lower economic class whites whose circumstances remain
static. They too by virtue of their finances (versus color) have likewise
been systematically denied opportunity and access.
So too does it exist within
the other colors above. Blue and pink, symbols representing male
and female, both certainly carry analogous baggage. Our society with
its antiquated notions of gender roles is equally as onerous as racial
stereotypes.
There will be some that
will protest vociferously in their insistence that strides are being made
toward reducing racism and sexism.
However, progress notwithstanding,
those of us that have our noses rubbed in it daily can just as vocally
exclaim that the chauvinistic landscape is not changing fast enough.
All it takes is experiencing
one episode of condescension or an insensitive statement to make one realize
that the playing field definitely leans toward anything masculine and white.
Speaking from experience,
being deprived of the benefits of full equality is simply unacceptable.
