Comments on: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Radical Color Theory Redesign

By: Heather Jackson

Heather Jackson — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:10:46 +0000

I grew up in a tiny town in Northwestern Pennsylvania. When my mom moved us from there to Hampton Roads, it was a huge culture shock; I left the predominantly caucasian suburban/rural life I’d lead behind for the rich tapestry of urban life with more cultures than I could have dreamt of before.
And yet, despite all of this, my time with Sesame Street and my introduction to the teachings of Dr. King, and the faith my family introduced me to early on that taught me that we are all equal, prepared me to accept everyone who looked different as the same.
I’ve embraced Dr. King’s Dream, made it my own, and I long to see it the truth of our everyday lives. Even now, as my husband and I work to adopt from within Indian Nations (He’s Choctaw), the racism we find there chafes at the ideals I’ve been taught. I’m asked questions about what races of parent or child we’re willing to adopt (or adopt from) or what “blood quantum” we can take. My answer is always the same: A child is a child. They need a home, we have one.
I’m ready for us all to be colorblind.

By: Shane Hudson

Shane Hudson — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:27:08 +0000

… Wow.

By: Bruce Ng

Bruce Ng — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:01:24 +0000

great post Brian! my mom is Korean and my dad is Chinese, and most people don’t know that there is a huge racial and cultural divide between most asian countries.

to this very day, i’m not sure how my parents got together. both my folks moved to Toronto when they were in their 20s, speaking english very poorly, and not knowing the other’s native language. they moved out west to BC (presumably to avoid the wrath of my korean grandparents, who didn’t approve of my chinese dad), and started their lives fresh, in a predominantly white small town, and somehow survived it all.

your words above really speak to me; glad to know you man.

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:35:00 +0000

Good words, Brian…even growing up as I did, I recognize I still have room for growth. It’s a generational thing for sure, with each new one hopefully just a little more blind than the last…I am encouraged by our own children.

By: Crash

Crash — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:32:08 +0000

With a 2yr old boy in our home now, I live for the day he lives in a color blind universe, too! Awesome post. Found you via @adamsconsulting on Twitter.

By: Einar Rice

Einar Rice — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:52:20 +0000

Brian … that is the most moving and profound writing and I hope and believe it will make a difference, even if it is 1 person at a time. I truly relate growing up in a bi-cultural family! Your theory is what my wife and I share with our own kids…we just never had a name for it…until now! Thanks so much!!!!

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:05:07 +0000

Loved your post. and growing up bi-cultural myself, I truly feel where you are coming from. Great writing!

By: Nicky Tillyer (@artrox)

Nicky Tillyer (@artrox) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:24:07 +0000

A beautiful post Brian, and a wonderful insight into the delightful character you have become.

It reminded me of one of my children at kinder trying to explain a new friend to me…hair, eyes, height, boy, all these descriptions and I still didn’t know which child he was talking about until the new friend was pointed out the next day. His skin was dark, the only dark child in the group, and something my son had failed to notice as a trait to describe his new friend, along with his hair, eyes, height…interesting!