Reykjavík Grapevine - Jan 2019, Page 56

L IF E , T R AV EL & EN T ER TA INMEN T IN ICEL A ND
Issue 01 × 2019
Jan 4th—Jan 31st
www.grapevine.is
LAST WORDS
The Danger of
Claiming To Be
Colour-Blind
Words & photo: Jewells Chambers
In an ideal world, race would have never
been invented. We wouldn’t have to talk
about black, white or whatever other colour
on the spectrum societies use when refer-
ring to a group of people. But that isn’t world
we live in. More times than not, people are
treated differently based solely on the colour
of their skin. I have mainly heard the term
“colour-blind” used in the US, mostly by
white people, but I have been informed that
many Icelanders like to view themselves this
way. To some degree, I can empathize with
this view.
At first glance, it attempts to imply advo-
cacy for equality. However, it is a dangerous
philosophy to live by if you want to foster
an inclusive society. It reduces cultural and
racial issues to an individual basis instead
of recognising it as part of a bigger issue in
our collective societies.
Claiming to be colour-blind when a per-
son of another race wants to talk about race
related issues dismisses their lived expe-
riences. Not “seeing” race does not erase
the historical impact of racism nor does it
change the current racist structure set up
by many societies around the world. Addi-
tionally, you miss out on an opportunity to
understand how a person feels as a minority
and to broaden your knowledge about the
treatment of people that look different than
you.
So, if colou r-blindness is not the answer,
what is? The first step is recognising and
valuing that others are different. Form per-
sonal relationships with people from differ-
ent cultures and races. As you learn, teach
and advocate for others to do the same.
These cultural exchanges and interactions
are critical for eradicating racism and creat-
ing truly inclusive societies.
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