The One Brown Girl Challenge

Stop Saying That

Recently, I heard a woman say I don't see color. 

Of course you do, I thought.  How can you not?

I know you've heard people say it too.   I don't see color is typically someone's way of pointing out that he or she isn't racist; that noticing a person's apparent cultural or skin color differences does not shape the way he or she views or interacts with that same person; that no judgments are made as a result, etc.  And while that might be true, to pretend like you don't see something that can be so obvious is simply untrue. 

In fact, sometimes noticing is what might be the first thing that attracts you to that person at the start; the conversation starter so-to-speak.  (And no, I don't see anything wrong with meeting an Ethiopian woman, for example, and then striking up a conversation with her because she is Ethiopian.  To get her perspective on something specifically related to her culture that I'm curious about and then perhaps finding out later if we have other things in common besides the color of our skin.  I think it's kinda cool actually.)

In truth, this post is more about semantics than it is about the meaning behind the statement because there are times when words really do matter in spite of the whole "Sticks & Stones" mantra we all heard growing up.  In short, it is this Brown Girl's point of view (and mine only) that folks should Stop Saying That *nose all scrunched up* and instead simply say exactly what they mean. 

So in the spirit of keeping it one hundred, I challenge you to stop saying  I don't see color.  Because unless you don't have the gift of sight, I'd like to politely point out that you do.