Reductions in Color

Color is a simple concept - our perception of light interacting with receptors in our eye. However, when the concept is applied to groups of similarly melanated people things get complicated.

I might be regarded as “white,” however my body produces quite a bit of melanin. I am likely more of a “caramel” (because I like caramel) shade. My brother could be considered “white,” but he’s more “olive’y”. Can we be reduced to “white”? Or can we be seen as “David” and “John”?

Monoliths of Culture

What is culture? Oversimplified definition: the channels a group uses for interpersonal communication. What Is multi-cultural? See the oversimplified definition of culture and +1.

If that is relatively true, is it possible to say that Colombian culture is better than German culture? I don’t think so. How about “white” culture better than another?

If you’ve read this far…

People are not a monolith - a group of people with a similar pigmentation are not all the same and they don’t value all of the same things. Not every Republican is Pro Life (if you’re in the US, you’ll understand that), not every German is systematic, not every Latinx person plays Salsa (or even likes it), not every “White” person is a supremacist, and not every Filipino likes Jollibee (though I could be very wrong with that last point.)

Put even simpler:

• Be curious about people, withhold judgment until you understand more;

• Get around different types of people. I had the privilege of working in the cruise ship industry which is literally a mishmash of cultures that taught me so much about us. You can do it too… just go to different places where you live and experience it.

• Don’t reduce people to a color, a culture, or an idea when you don’t know them.

Put even more simpler:

• Love people for who they are.

• Love yourself for who you are.

The ultimate oversimplified answer to all of our problems:

• Love more.